Sport
Tyler Adams’ understated form at Leeds United
Jesse Marsch has put his stamp on Leeds United. With his first anniversary not too far away, he faces questions about his impact on the club. Overall, having kept them up by the skin of their teeth on the final day of last season, his impact has been widely positive.
Replacing Marcelo Bielsa was always going to be a thankless task. Not only was the Argentine seen as a hero in Leeds and by the club’s fans having brought them back up to the Premier League and connected with them on a deeper level, but his playing style was so defined that it seemed difficult, at least on the face of it, to change direction so quickly. Relegation was looking more and more probable by the week, and Marsch was able to steady the ship so deserves credit.
When he arrived, he hit the right note with his answers at the unveiling. He clearly understood the delicate nature of his appointment, but spoke about evolving from the point Bielsa had left. There are certain similarities in the pair’s respective philosophies; they both like to attack with high pressure and want their teams to be proactive, but Marsch has shored the team up defensively. Now they are much tougher to beat, even if that has come at the cost of that trademark excitement Bielsa brought.
Slow acceptance was always going to be the way for Marsch; recreating the relationship Bielsa had with the supporters was impossible, but that was never his remit. His Leeds are now separate to that of his predecessors, and that is an achievement in itself.
One of the players who best represents not only Marsch’s identity but also Leeds’ robustness this season, is Tyler Adams. There was much scepticism about Marsch’s appointment and links to the Red Bull project, having managed three of their teams in New York, Salzburg and Leipzig, but the fruits of his past have actually been one of the more impressive facets of his reign. Adams, a United States international midfielder, joined from RB Leipzig, and he has been extremely impressive away from the spotlight somewhat. Brandon Aaronson, another American signed from Salzburg, has also shown good quality.
Though they have conceded the fourth highest number of goals in the Premier League this season, their average per game is lower than it was last term, when only Norwich let in more than their total of 79. Adams’ energy levels in the midfield have had a notable impact on Leeds’ ability to be competitive in the middle of the park.
Replacing Kalvin Phillips was never likely to be easy. Similar to the situation between Marsch and Bielsa, Adams was never going to be welcomed with excitement because of what Phillips means to Leeds. As a local boy and an academy graduate, he was always going to be popular, but England recognition off the back of becoming the face of Bielsa’s team because of his effectiveness in possession enhanced his reputation to an entirely different level. Like Marsch, Adams has done well for show there is life after him, following his move to Manchester City.
Adams could be joined by Weston McKennie at Elland Road, another USA midfielder who has become a well known figure in European football with both German club Schalke and then Juventus. That would be a huge coup for Leeds, and would make them a much more formidable side to face in midfield.
Marsch has also spoken about the perception of him as an American coach. He claimed, with a smile, that “Ted Lasso hasn’t helped”. But there is nothing to mock about his ability; things have been tough at Leeds but after a mini post-Bielsa rebuild, he has got them looking in the right direction.
Just like Phillips set the tone before, Adams does now. He’s understated and underrated, but has taken to English football superbly well.
