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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Whether Andrea Radrizzani stays at Leeds seems to be a topic that won’t go away.
At times it fades into the background but when reports arise, his time at Elland Road suddenly catches the eye once again.
The Italian businessman has done a superb job with the Whites, a project that will only be complete if they secure promotion to the Premier League.
Alongside Victor Orta and Marcelo Bielsa, he has guided them from Championship mediocrity to the playoffs and now to the top of the table again.
The one thing that eludes them is the promised land of top-flight football.
For the time being, Leeds are well set to return as they sit first. However, they will be one of the first clubs to tell you how quickly things can change.
They failed to win any of their last four games in 2018/19, before tasting defeat in the playoffs too. It was a wretched way to end a term that had shown so much promise.
Adam Pope claimed on the Talking Shutt podcast earlier this month that Radrizzani could be gone in a year, suggesting Leeds were a beast that needed feeding in terms of financial investment.
If they don’t achieve promotion that seems like a distinct possibility after rumours were battered away in the summer.
The New York Times reported during that period of time that PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi had held talks with Radrizzani over buying a stake.
That didn’t materialise but after Pope’s comments a matter of weeks ago, it’s thrown a shade of doubt around the Italian’s ownership again.
Regardless of whether he leaves, however, Leeds look well set for the future.
Why? Because of their increased attention to youth at LS11.
Marcelo Bielsa has already handed debuts to Alfie McCalmont and Mateusz Bogusz this season while Leif Davis has featured in the centre of defence. That’s before even mentioning Jamie Shackleton.
Key members of the U23 side, the academy at Thorp Arch received a major boost this week as five players agreed to new terms.
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Leeds announced new deals for Stuart McKinstry and Charlie Cresswell, as well as tying down Bryce Hosannah, Pascal Struijk and Kun Temenuzhkov.
This shows that a plan is in place for beyond the current season with greater attention now being put upon developing the club for the future, whether or not that includes some of their key figures beyond the playing staff.
Not only that, but plans are in place to build a new training complex at the site of the Matthew Murray school – one that will also involve better youth facilities.
Radrizzani leaving and taking his investment with him would be a huge blow but there is definitely a bright future even if he’s one of the vital men in starting this progression off.
A new training complex and the ability to keep their rising stars suggests they’re well set regardless of whether he stays.