It is normal for clubs to rely on a handful of first-team regulars to be the spine of the squad but Leeds United have had to lean on their 'blue chip' players more than most this season.
'Blue chip' is a phrase that in English football, is most commonly associated with Sir Bobby Robson, who would refer to his trusted group of key players at Newcastle United as his 'blue chip brigade'. At Leeds, head coach Jesse Marsch has formed his own brigade with what he has called the 'leadership council'.
It consists of Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas, Adam Forshaw, Kalvin Phillips, Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford and as outlined by Marsch, their role is to help communicate ideas to the head coach based upon what they hear from other players. Injuries have ravaged the squad and the club's torrid luck with injuries was on full display in the win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, during which four players were forced out of the action.
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Leeds had not been able to rely on three members of the leadership council - Cooper, Phillips and Bamford - until very recently. Although the aforementioned seven may be the appointed leaders of the dressing room, it is almost a different group entirely that have been helping to prop Leeds up on the pitch.
Of the seven, only Dallas has made more than 30 appearances and he is the only member of the leadership group in the top six when it comes to appearances this season. While team-mates have dropped like flies around them, Illan Meslier, Dallas and Jack Harrison have all been mainstays of the side and made over 30 appearances.
Just behind them are Mateusz Klich and Daniel James on 29, whilst Raphinha sits on 28. Although Marsch may lean on his selected group when it comes to brainstorming ideas, it is the near ever-presents that will truly be his blue chip players in the run-in.
Although the form of some has not always been blistering, they have ensured a senior presence has remained within the squad even during spells when the bench was packed with teenagers. It remains unclear how ready the likes of Phillips will be to play an important role in the run-in but the regulars are certainly match-fit and their sharpness makes them integral as Leeds enter the business end of the season.
