HERE TO STAY
Hasselbaink says Leeds will be safe
JIMMY- FLOYD HASSELBAINK reckons all his former club Leeds need to worry about this season is retaining their Premier League status.
Marcelo Bielsa’s promoted side have made a mixed start with three wins and four defeats back in the top flight after a 16- year absence.
But they have won over many with their eye- catching, free- flowing football.
However, that hasn’t always delivered the right results – including losing 4- 3 in an opening- game thriller at Liverpool – which will ultimately decide their fate.
Hasselbaink said: “Leeds are a breath of fresh air for the Premier League. They play the kind of football where you need a lot of energy and not a lot of people can cope with them.
“But they do play a style which leaves them very open to their opposition, and that has shown on a few occasions already this season. They’re very good against teams who say ‘ Come on then, let’s play football’ – it suits them well and they normally take points from those games.
“But they have it harder against teams that sit in and counter, like Crystal Palace, Leicester and Wolves. They struggle because they don’t keep people behind the ball.
“Sometimes they attack with seven players and it leaves them in trouble at the back.”
But the Dutchman is confident his old team will beat the drop.
Hasselbaink, speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes at its launch of the 5- A- Side Bet on Leeds v Arsenal, said: “For me it’s important that they maintain their Premier League status this season – that’s all.
“If they finish 17th, it’s a good season.
They’ve Ththey’ve spent nearly £ 100m but it doesn’t really say a lot these days.
“You have to spend that money to give yourself a chance. I think they’ll be safe quite simply because there are worse teams in the league – West Brom being one. Fulham being another.”
If Leeds do beat the drop, then they will rely on the goals of Patrick Bamford, who has scored seven goals so far this season.
But ex- striker Hasselbaink reckons it is too early to start talking about a maiden England call- up, adding: “Can he make the England squad? I don’t know.
“He’s doing really well but he’s only played eight games. After Harry Kane, you’ve got Dominic Calvert- Lewin, who has improved significantly.
“If playing well for eight games gets you into the England squad, then it’s not really an honour any more, is it?”