Leeds United secured their Premier League safety on Sunday with a 2-1 win over Brentford on the final day of the season. The Whites moved ahead of Burnley and into 17th place after they were beaten by Newcastle United at Turf Moor.
Leeds boss Jesse Marsch achieved exactly what he was set out to do upon his arrival in February, after he replaced Marcelo Bielsa in the dugout after over three-and-a-half years in charge. Marsch has already tried to do several things different to his predecessor both on and off the pitch at Leeds, with some players certainly benefitting more than others from the managerial change.
So with that in mind, here is a look at three players who have really staked their claim for next season based on the three months Marsch has spent at the club.
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Sam Greenwood
Young attacker Sam Greenwood is arguably the player who has benefitted most from Marsch’s arrival, with his first-team involvement having risen dramatically in the last couple of months. Greenwood got minutes off the bench in five matches, before then being handed his full league debut in the biggest game of the season against Brentford.
The 20-year-old registered assists in the wins over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Watford and was impressive in the final day success at Brentford. He played in a much deeper midfield role, but was strong both on and off the ball, which proved vital to the Whites staying in the division.
Marsch has already stated how he wants the academy to become a huge part of his philosophy at Elland Road and Greenwood will have done himself a world of good ahead of next season, with a number of new signings also expected.
Joe Gelhardt
Marsch finally gave all fans what they have been waiting in the latter stages of the season – a run of starts for Joe Gelhardt up front. Gelhardt had been reduced to substitute appearances for much of the campaign, but with his impact from the bench continuing throughout, he was finally rewarded with a spot in the starting XI.
And the 20-year-old certainly did not disappoint. In the game against Brighton, where he was extremely unlucky not to score inside two minutes after his goal bound shot was blocked on the line by teammate Liam Cooper, Gelhardt produced a moment of magic.
He came up with an assist out of nowhere for Pascal Struijk to head in an equaliser and give Leeds a fighting chance. Against Brentford, a tight VAR call prevented him from netting his third of the season, but his hold-up play against big centre-backs such as Pontus Jansson shows he has everything needed to succeed as a Premier League striker. An even bigger role beckons for him next term, regardless of whether a new forward is signed.
Robin Koch
Although like under Marcelo Bielsa Robin Koch has been tasked with playing several different positions, the way he has performed under Marsch means there should be no reason why he can’t be first choice centre-back next season. Until Phillips’ return, Koch played heavily in midfield, which while clearly is not his best position, he still contributed to wins over Wolves and Watford.
Then in the final two matches against Brighton and Brentford, he was tasked with filling in for Luke Ayling at right-back. Koch was excellent in both fixtures and against the Seagulls, produced a match-saving tackle with the visitors already one-goal to the good.
In his two seasons at Leeds, the only time Koch has ever had a sustained run in his natural position of centre-back was in the early months of his first campaign. If he can stay fit, that must change next term given the level of performances he has been able to produce while playing out of position.
