Tony Dorigo tips Manchester City youngster for big season with Leeds United and shares his 2019/20 hopes, beliefs and concerns

By The Newsroom
Published 29th Jul 2019, 14:21 BST
Leeds United's Jack Harrison, right, kicks past Western Sydney Wanderers' Bruce Kamau during their friendly soccer match in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, July 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)Leeds United's Jack Harrison, right, kicks past Western Sydney Wanderers' Bruce Kamau during their friendly soccer match in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, July 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Leeds United's Jack Harrison, right, kicks past Western Sydney Wanderers' Bruce Kamau during their friendly soccer match in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, July 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Tony Dorigo has tipped Jack Harrison for a big 2019/20 season and predicts automatic promotion for Leeds United – although there are some ifs and buts.

READ: Four questions for Marcelo Bielsa to ponder

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The Whites legend, who travelled out to the nation of his birth for the pre-season friendlies against Manchester United and Western Sydney, has the same high hopes and concerns as many fans.

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17 July 2019...... Tadcaster Albioin v Leeds United. Pre-season friendly. Leeds Helder Costa. Picture Tony Johnson.17 July 2019...... Tadcaster Albioin v Leeds United. Pre-season friendly. Leeds Helder Costa. Picture Tony Johnson.
17 July 2019...... Tadcaster Albioin v Leeds United. Pre-season friendly. Leeds Helder Costa. Picture Tony Johnson.

On one hand, he believes there will be a natural improvement in the squad now that they’re well accustomed to boss Marcelo Bielsa’s ways.

He hopes Helder Costa will be a difference maker and that the club can get better value from this season’s loan signings.

And he expects some of the younger players to step up and make greater contributions.

But the former England defender also questions whether the club have enough in reserve at centre-half and if missed chances will once again prove costly.

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BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Pontus Jansson of Brentford reacts during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Brentford and AFC Bournemouth at Griffin Park on July 27, 2019 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images)BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Pontus Jansson of Brentford reacts during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Brentford and AFC Bournemouth at Griffin Park on July 27, 2019 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Pontus Jansson of Brentford reacts during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Brentford and AFC Bournemouth at Griffin Park on July 27, 2019 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images)

There is, he thinks, a tangible benefit to be had from continuity.

“If you look back at last season, the big difference now will be that all the players understand what Marcelo wants,” he said.

“The tactics, the fitness levels, none of that is going to be new.

“They’ve had a year of learning, growing and getting fitter and stronger.

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“Last year it was all brand new, a bit of a shock to the system.

“It wouldn’t have been this time round and I think, just because of that, the team will improve.”