It is an intriguing thought.
If Leeds United can ruthlessly dismantle title favourites Stoke City without a number of key players, what might they be capable of when they return?
On a remarkable opening day at a raucous Elland Road, Marcelo Bielsa’s side racked up a 3-1 victory over the newly-relegated Potters.
It was the least they deserved for their stunning superiority.
Moreover, it encouraged hopes among the club’s long-suffering supporters that Leeds really could be ready for a return to the big time.
Bielsa is the biggest managerial name in the Championship and already appears to be casting his spell at Elland Road.
The legendary 63-year-old Argentine watched on impassively on Sunday afternoon as Leeds tore Stoke apart.
The former Argentina, Chile, Athletic Bilbao, Lazio, Marseille and Lille boss Bielsa took over in June and arrived with a worldwide reputation for demanding quick, possession-based attacking football.
All that was in evidence against Stoke as goals from Mateusz Klich and Pablo Hernandez put Leeds 2-0 up at the break.
Stoke hit back with a penalty from Benik Afobe but Liam Cooper’s header quickly had a boisterous Elland Road bouncing again.
Bielsa? He sat pitchside outside of the dug-out on an upside-down blue bucket, much to the intrigue of the crowd and indeed the watching media.
His concentration levels were clear to see and the collective desire, not to mention fitness levels, and spirit that he has instilled in his players bodes well for the season ahead.
Significantly, key defender Pontus Jansson was an unused substitute, a legacy of his involvement in the World Cup with Sweden, while highly-regarded midfielder Adam Forshaw is currently out injured.
On the bench were new signings Lewis Baker, Patrick Bamford and Jack Harrison, suggesting the best of Leeds is yet to come.
If only all manager interviews were like this 🤣🤣
A crowd of over 34,000 attended the Stoke win and Bielsa said: “The atmosphere was even bigger than what I thought, the fans were connected to the messages of the team in every second of the game.
“I would like to thank the fans for their support and I hope that our football will create a positive reaction from the supporters.”
“It was a game with high intensity, our players were very ambitious and they did a great physical effort.
“In some moments the team played like I wanted them to and in other moments they didn’t.
“The productivity of the players was high and our offensive actions were very good in some moments and we had the hope and ambition to win.
“In some moments we gave the ball to Stoke, played too close to our goal and at times we couldn’t maintain the differences in the game.
“It is a dynamic team, an offensive team and a team that dares to play, plus my team took risks when moving the ball.
“These are the positive aspects, but we lacked a little bit of experience at the end of the game. Our team has to improve and get better.”
Bielsa also spoke of his desire for more new signings to strengthen a squad that has seen over a dozen players depart since the end of last season’s dismal campaign.
If Leeds can add another centre-back, a midfielder and perhaps an extra attacker, then their fans really will start daring to dream.
