Jack Harrison will be back at Leeds United, aiming to match Sheffield United's impact

There seemed little doubt winger Harrison would be back at Elland Road, where he has spent two season-long loans from Manchester City. The clubs are working on the details of what is likely to be a third loan with an option to buy at the end of it.

The 23-year-old is excited about what the new campaign will bring, saying “anything is possible” under coach Marcelo Bielsa. With that in mind, Leeds are not simply looking to stay in the Premier League, but to prosper as newly-promoted Sheffield United did in 2019-20.

“With Marcelo I think anything is possible,” said Harrison in an interview with ESPN. “We have a team that is dedicated and motivated and under the leadership of Marcelo we're more than capable of staying up.

“You look how Sheffield United have gone up and they're an organised team whose tactics are detailed as well, just like Marcelo's. They've done extremely well this last season so we're hoping we can do the same if not better than Sheffield United. That would be a great year for us next year.”

Harrison started every Championship game but one last season, coming off the bench in the other, at Derby County's Pride Park when the title was already won.

The financial gulf between the Premier League and Championship has become so great that increasingly just bridging it has been judged a success. The last two seasons have given hope that more is possible for teams with a clear method, however.

In 2018-19, Wolverhampton Wanderers qualified for the Europa League – admittedly with a much bigger than normal budget – and last season the Blades fell just short of doing likewise, finishing ninth in the division.

The coronavirus pandemic has meant a short turnaround between the seasons, and Leeds are back in pre-season training next week, having only finished the last campaign on July 22. The stretched-out 2019-20 will also mean a condensed 2020-21, which Harrison thinks could favour his club.

“I'll be there again next season so it's exciting to go back and do it all again in a few weeks,” he said.

“I think the Premier League are going to reduce the number of weeks next season to 36 so I think it's going to be similar to the Championship with the amount of games per week. Without a doubt under Marcelo Bielsa we will be more than prepared for anything.”

Bielsa's return for next season is also yet to be confirmed with his contract up, but there have been no indications that either side are unduly concerned this will happen.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor