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Ricky Charlesworth

Andrea Radrizzani maps out his Leeds United vision in Premier League and discusses European plan

Leeds United finally return to the top flight of English football this weekend.

For the club, its long-suffering supporters and its owner Andrea Radrizzani, it will be a cathartic moment when the side walks out at Anfield to take on Premier League holders Liverpool.

Sixteen long years have passed since Leeds were last year.

And if there's one person who doesn't want to make the same mistakes witnessed the last time they were in this position, it's Radrizzani.

Many Whites' fans are understandably excited about the club's prospects. The strong squad already in place has been supplemented by quality recruits such as Rodrigo and Robin Koch - with more expected to follow before the transfer market shuts next month.

And of course there is the manager, Marcelo Bielsa. Arguably none of this would have happened without the Argentine at the helm.

With all that in mind, it is perhaps understandable for some fans to jump the gun and expect too much, too soon.

To that end, Radrizzani is remaining level-headed about the club's prospects upon their return to the top flight.

“I hope we can stay in the Premier League for two years,” Radrizzani told Associated Press.

“After that first cycle of two years, I think we will be ready to step up and close the gap with the bigger teams.

"Obviously, my objective, if I look at a period of three, five years, is to be just behind the top six.”

Those are heady but well-structured ambitions. But what about a quick route into Europe, as shown by the likes of Leicester and Wolves in recent seasons?

When it comes to this prospect, the Whites' owner is quick to shoot down such theories.

“It’s impossible,” he added. “It would be wrong to do it because there is no foundation to do that.

"So obviously, there are teams that have done an unbelievable story like Leicester, but Leicester is an example also of stability and sustainability over time.

“But I think we need to be realistic about what our possibilities are now, and our objective is to stay in the Premier League.”

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