SLEEPING GIANT AWAKENS Leeds are back in the big time but Bielsa knows he has just 50 days to make them Premier League ready

LEEDS skipper Liam Cooper woke up cuddling the Championship trophy yesterday.

Marcelo Bielsa woke up and began plotting a 50-day countdown to the Premier League kick-off.

“It’s the end of the beginning,” explained managing director Angus Kinnear. “For Leeds United, the Premier League is base camp.”

While Cooper and his team-mates deserve a threeweek blow-out – briefly escaping their daily weight targets – Bielsa was told of his new mission.

“Next season will inevitably bring ups and downs, but I am confident we will deliver a season of swashbuckling football,” added Kinnear.

“While we will never be apologetic about the extent of our ambitions for this club, we know that establishing a foothold in the Premier League is as challenging as being promoted.”

Bielsa donned a “Champions 20” shirt for the trophy lift at Elland Road ( far and middle left), posed uncomfortably with the squad and allowed the crowds to serenade him briefly on the controversial open-top bus.

But it was quickly back to business. His contract extension is not expected to be a problem.

A third year in charge is on, but probably not before a repeat of the hours of talks in a Buenos Aires hotel that first lured him to Yorkshire.

Stats will be brandished – often researched by teams he employs himself – to persuade director of football Victor Orta what is needed.

Which players can cope with his ‘murderball’, hardrunning, intense pressing? Where does the team need improving to take on Liverpool and Manchester City?

A striker is a priority. Owner Andrea Radrizzani dreams of bringing in Edinson Cavani, a free agent after leaving Paris Saint-germain. Or Zlatan Ibrahimovic (near left, with Cavani), 38, and out of contract in Milan.

Bielsa has demanded a finisher for three transfer windows – highlighting a low chance conversion rate. Incumbent Patrick Bamford will fight for his chance and reacted wearily to questions about his top-flight credentials with this tweet: “And so it starts. Zzzzz”. QPR kid Eberechi Eze is on the radar too.

Ben White, on loan from Brighton, has been immense. Albion want him back, but so do Leeds and he will come at a price.

A £40million hole has already been blown in the budget. A permanent deal for Wolves loanee Helder Costa was triggered a fortnight ago, costing £16m. Keeper Illan Meslier signed permanently from Lorient for £5m yesterday.

There may be no way to wriggle out of a contract to sign January loan flop Jeankevin Augustin, who only played 49 minutes. RB Leipzig will want their £18m.

Bielsa has never been a cheque-book boss. Mateusz Klich, an ever-present for 92 games, is top quality, Kalvin Phillips is on England boss Gareth Southgate’s radar.

Sheffield United prove a core Championship squad can thrive in the top flight. As Kinnear said: “When this club is truly united there is no limit to what we can achieve.”