It may feel like a lifetime since Leeds United lifted the EFL Championship trophy aloft outside Elland Road. But this week, their reward for doing so materialises in the form of an opening day match up against Liverpool.
Champion against champion, this clash will certainly test the wits of the Whites. The question that really needs to be answered is: how will Leeds cope over the course of the entire season?
Are the Whites cut out for the topflight?
In the summer of 2018, Victor Orta and Angus Kinnear flew out to Buenos Aires, Argentina, in order to open gruelling negotiations with one of the most respected coaches in world football. 13 hours later, they flew back with the confirmation that Marcelo Bielsa will manage Leeds in the following season.
During the intense marathon meeting, Bielsa claimed that he would make Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper the 'best players in the league'.
Since then, he has not only been a crucial factor in Phillips' recent call up to the England national side, but he has also inherited a group of players that finished 13th and transformed them into title winners.
Bielsa has handpicked certain players within the Leeds set up who were once considered mediocre and has moulded them into some of the best players in the division.
Without much doubt 'El Loco' would have taken the squad from the previous campaign and adapted them to his needs in the Premier League, but it has been evident that he won't have to.
Over the past couple of weeks, the business the Whites have been doing has been mind blowing to many long serving Leeds fans. The arrival of two internationals, Rodrigo Moreno and Robin Koch shows the level in which the club intend to compete at next season.
With further signings seemingly imminent, the higher ups of Leeds' hierarchy are certainly aiming to provide Bielsa with the tools in order to craft a successful Premier League outfit.
Who are they competing against?
Understandably, it always difficult to predict how a newly promoted side will get on in their opening season in a new league - especially when that league is the Premier League.
Predictions amongst fans range anywhere from pushing for a European place - much like Wolverhampton Wanderers managed to - and scrapping it out in a relegation battle - the usual expectation of a promoted club.
However, could the reality exist somewhere down the middle?
What Wolves pulled off in their debut season in the Premier League was remarkable. Perhaps more impressive and comparable though was Sheffield United almost achieving the very same feat.
The Blades were promoted with many of their squad remaining from their EFL League One days, and with more or less the same squad, Chris Wilder stuck to his guns and rocked the top end of the division.
Will it be Leeds doing the unsettling this time around?
It's not wholly unrealistic, but the aim will be to avoid outside influences and assert themselves within the league in their own fashion, much like Wolves and Sheffield United did so successfully.
While it would be a fantastic achievement to knock on the door of the top half, a comfortable undramatic debut season wouldn't go a miss. But that's not Leeds.
No matter where Leeds United finish, what can be guaranteed is excitement.
