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Leeds’ Marcelo Bielsa issues verdict on Newcastle United’s multi-million-pound duo

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Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has offered his verdict on Newcastle United’s bid Juayr spending spree ahead of their meeting on Saturday.

Takeovers have been a key talking point for both Newcastle and Leeds since the start of this season, but the Magpies pushed theirs through, ending a torrid era under Mike Ashley.

The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) sealed a reported £300million takeover of the club earlier this season, making them one of the richest sides in football.

January signings were inevitable under new manager Eddie Howe, and he’s been busy improving his squad ahead of the relegation battle ensuing in the Premier League.

Howe has made two major signings so far with potentially more on the way: Kieran Trippier arrived from Atletico Madrid for a reported £12million fee, to then add Burnley’s Chris Wood to the side for a whopping £25million.

It signals the statement of intent behind the owners to strengthen this side with funds thrown at players that will be sure to bolster Howe’s side.

As we look ahead to the clash at Elland Road on Saturday, Marcelo Bielsa was asked about these arrivals in his pre-match press conference, where he had this to say (via the YEP):

With respect to the players that they’ve brought in, their positions are very specific.

A right full-back and a centre-forward. It’s their centre-forward who comes to replace the player who usually plays in that position. They’re both classic centre-forwards, even if they have different characteristics, they both play as centre-forwards.

“The same with their right full-back, who plays at different heights down the right-hand side. Those two signings are, from my point of view – and only with the rush to answer your question – because it is very difficult to interpret the opponent’s coach, and it is also inconvenient – but from my point of view, the players don’t alter the way Newcastle play, but the individualities who enrich a squad.”

Bielsa is spot on, these two arriving doesn’t affect the way that we would prepare for this game.

They’ve signed a modern right-back and an old-fashioned forward, two positions that haven’t changed from what they had prior to January.

What does change though is the quality that these two can produce. I don’t think Chris Wood is better than Callum Wilson, but he is more consistent, while Trippier I think is a great signing.

They’re not two arrivals that make me think we’re dealing with a totally different side now that we need to be really worried about still.

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.