Dan warns fans to be realistic over Bielsa men

DANNY MILLS has warned Leeds United fans dreaming of a European return this season to take a reality check.

Marcelo Bielsa’s men finished ninth on their Premier League return last term – their highest position in 19 years.

The Whites’ renaissance has encouraged hopes of kicking on again and pushing for European qualification under their Argentinian boss (right).

But ex-England defender

Mills, part of the Leeds side who reached the

Champions League semi-finals under David

O’Leary in 2001, said: “I think you have to be realistic.

“Leeds spent 16 years outside of the Premier League and last season should really have been about survival and consolidation.

“They outperformed all expectations and I think finishing anywhere between eighth and 14th this season would be unbelievable.

“The secret is not to get carried away. There will be fans inside Elland Road this season who have never seen Leeds in the Premier League.

“They’ve just got to keep building and adding one or two players, as they are doing.”

Left-back Junior Firpo (below) has arrived from Barcelona and winger Jack Harrison has joined permanently from Manchester City, but more additions are expected.

Research forming part of Sky Bet’s Fan Hope survey shows 72 per cent of Leeds fans expect their side to finish in the top six.

Mills added: “The likes of City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United are going to be strong, plus Tottenham, Arsenal and Everton need to do better.

“Add in Leicester and that’s eight teams already who are going to be difficult to finish above.”

MANAGER: Marcelo Bielsa

BIG SIGNING: Junior Firpo (£12.8m from Barcelona)

KEY MAN: Kalvin Phillips

VERDICT: Topping last season’s highly impressive ninth-placed finish will be tough for Leeds, but another year of consolidation in

mid-table will do just fine.