It’s hard winning promotion to the Premier League, but it’s even harder staying there and there’s no doubt that Leeds United will need to spend big this summer.
Marcelo Bielsa is clearly an outstanding coach and even without signing a single player you’d put your money on the Whites being difficult to beat next season.
But they will be beaten more times than not without significant investment and splashing the cash is a must.
One player who Bielsa could and proably should consider is Javi Martinez.
The Bayern Munich midfielder is being linked with a move to Rennes [Kicker] and if they’re interested, why aren’t Leeds?
Martinez only has one year left on his contract in Bavaria and therefore wouldn’t cost a fortune – and he earns a humble £68,000 per week, according to Sportekz.
There’s also the history factor that needs to be considered, because the 31-year-old spent a few years playing under Bielsa for Athletic Bilbao and here’s what he once said about the Argentine: “Bielsa taught me a lot. He just understands football. Everyone should work with him at least once in their life. There are no other Coaches comparable with him. There is no other like him, nor will there ever be.”
Based on that, it’s certainly plausible that linked-away Martinez would answer a call from the Leeds boss, but does Bielsa need him? Yes and no.
Despite being a full Spain international, he genuinely might not play ahead of Kalvin Phillips next season but, then again, staying in the Premier League is going to test United’s squad, not their first XI, and somebody of Martinez’s quality and experience would always come in handy.
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