Leeds United won’t ditch our focus on young players and a trimmed-down squad, insists Victor Orta

Victor Orta says Leeds United will not deviate from the policy of running with a slimmed down squad next season, despite Marcelo Bielsa’s departure.

Leeds replaced Bielsa with Jesse Marsch last month after results dipped and the club was threatened with relegation, with some critics saying that the Argentinian’s commitment to a smaller squad combined with injuries to leave the club short-handed.

But that policy will endure next season, with Orta revealing the club are wedded to the idea of supplementing an 18-man squad with four players from the under-23s.

Explaining his desire to “build careers” – and citing Leeds’ crop of rising stars, including Joe Gelhardt and Charlie Cresswell – the director of football said it was the only way the club would blossom in the long-term.

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In a fascinating talk at the Training Ground Guru’s scouting and recruitment webinar, he confirmed Leeds would continue to focus on youth and intended to run with a smaller squad again under Marsch next season.

“I believe in a project that is one of Marcelo Bielsa’s legacies. If you believe in youth development you need to prove it. Our idea is 18 professionals and the other four players all with the under-23s because we believe in youth development and want to give responsibility to the academy,” he said.

“It’s true that it’s risky. It’s true that if you have these four players with more experience perhaps the results in the short-term will be better. But it’s true on the other side that you create a lot of bad ways.

“The other day we win a difficult game against Wolves with Charlie Cresswell, Sam Greenwood and Kirstoffer Klaesson on the pitch and on another day Joe Gelhardt scores to make it 2-1 against Norwich and Lewis Bate is in the team that beats West Ham.

“I create these answers because it’s worth millions long-term for the club. To build players is really important.”

Orta has defended the club’s policy after criticism of squad size (Photo: Getty)

Orta spoke at length about a progressive policy at Leeds in which he wants “buy-in” from everyone at the club – from first-team squad members to the office staff members and ticket sellers.

But it is how and who they recruit that will ultimately decide whether Leeds are successful in the long-term.

“Leeds United is not a team that can be in the market for £150m each time. We can buy one or two [players with established] careers but then we need to build [players’] careers,” Orta said.

“The only way to build careers is to make our people anticipate talent – to create players at 14 or 15 who can be future Premier League players and create a pathway there.

“The short-term impact of the squad is relevant and we are struggling this season with relegation. Last year with the same methodology we finished 9th and I know more times it will be difficult.

“But I believe in my scouting department. If you get to the medium and long-term, what is better for me? Spending £1m on Joe Gelhardt or £500m for a 31-year-old striker? I believe in the first.

“It’s the only way Leeds can grow. The only other way is ‘I am going to buy [players with established] careers’. But you always lose that way because there are other clubs with more money, more investment. I need to build careers here.”

Analysis: Leeds’ bravery deserves respect

Gelhardt celebrates his winner against Norwich (Photo: Getty)

In a league obsessed with short-term fixes and the next big thing, Leeds are doing things differently.

Everyone talks about investing in their academy and bringing through players but in truth few have the courage of their convictions. Orta, by now an established presence as Leeds’ director of football, wants his club to be different.

You have to salute his courage in standing up for the squad policy in the heat of a relegation fight. On Tuesday he spoke with real enthusiasm about Greenwood, Cresswell, Klaesson and Archie Gray – four jewels from Leeds’ under-23 squad who are ready to step into the first XI.

And he knows that their attitude is starting to convince young players to pick Leeds too. Lewis Bate’s decision to join from Chelsea last summer was seen as a real coup inside Elland Road.

Orta’s words also answer questions about why Leeds turned to Marsch rather than a bigger or more established name when they took the painful decision to part company with Bielsa. Those yelling for Sam Allardyce or a relegation Red Adair misunderstand the philosophy at Elland Road entirely – they needed someone who bought into a vision that is different to many of their rivals.

Orta and owner Andrea Radrizzani took a huge risk changing manager in mid-season. But their belief is that Leeds need to become a club comfortable with flirting with danger if they’re going to hold their own in a Premier League swimming in riches with owner benefactors.

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