Former Premier League star Keith Gillespie has lavished praise on Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds United, telling Football FanCast that they are a “joy to watch” at times.

The Whites have enjoyed a superb season in the top-flight following their promotion from the Premier League last season.

They are currently safely ensconced in 11th place in the table, after beating Sheffield United 2-1 over the weekend.

Bielsa’s men are 16 points clear of the relegation zone with just eight games to go, and are closer to the European qualification spots than the drop.

Leeds have also had some notable performances against top sides, drawing with Chelsea and Manchester City, and beating Leicester City.

And Gillespie believes that Bielsa’s style of high-intensity, attacking football has captured the imagination of supporters across the country.

Indeed, he claims that while Leeds do have their moments where they give up chances – they lost 6-2 to Manchester United and 3-0 to Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the season – they are certainly not alone.

He told FFC: “He’s been fantastic. He’s been a breath of fresh air again in the Premier League, I think a lot of people have taken to him because of the style of football that he plays.

“Leeds are a joy to watch at times, some exciting players. They do give you a chance at times, in terms of the way they play out from the back, but I suppose a lot of clubs do that with this new rule that you can pass the ball from a goal kick and it doesn’t have to go out of the box.

“A lot of clubs give you heart attack moments, I suppose.”