One of the positive things about Leeds United wrapping up promotion before the season ended is that it gave Marcelo Bielsa the chance to experiment with his lesser-seen players.
Bielsa’s side were confirmed as Championship winners with two games to go and the Argentine coach started introducing some prospects – and they look brilliant.
Ian Poveda made his full Leeds debut only last week despite signing in January, and the former Manchester City winger looks like he could be an absolute handful for defences.
And then there’s Pascal Struijk, who started back-t0-back games and impressed in an unfamiliar role last night.
Bielsa played the 20-year-old centre-back as a holding midfielder as Leeds thrashed Charlton 4-0 at Elland Road on Wednesday.
And the big man – who stands 6’3 – displayed a superb range of passing for somebody so imposing, while he also did the physical parts well.
Struijk picked up a sublime pre-assist with a pass to pick out Poveda, who went on to set up Jamie Shackleton for United’s fourth last night.
And Noel Whelan, speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, claims that he’s only going to get ‘bigger and better’, suggesting that he could save the club a fortune by being Kalvin Phillips’ deputy in the Premier League next season.
He said: “What a game. Tonight’s performance is another step above. He was excellent. The pass for the fourth goal was worthy of the Premier League. It really was.
“He’s done himself so much credit: disciplined, fast, creative, aggressive. That’s the point. You might’ve saved yourself a lot of money incase Kalvin does get injured. I believe he’ll only get bigger and better.”
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