Marcelo Bielsa has revealed that he almost made Mateusz Klich a central defender in his first season at Leeds United.
Speaking to Leeds Live, Bielsa praised Klich’s talents and said that he has developed into a player who could star in one of the ‘best teams in the world’.
But Bielsa also says that Klich’s time at Elland Road could have been so different if it wasn’t for injuries.
“Klich, for me, can play in all the best teams in the world,” Bielsa said, of the £1.5 million man (Yorkshire Evening Post).
“So, he is in Leeds by chance. It doesn’t have to do with the fact I decided he continued at Leeds.
“In the first pre-season I asked him if he would consider playing at centre-back, but it so happened in the game before the season started, against Las Palmas, the candidates for the player to play as the eight started falling away. Ronaldo, Forshaw and their absences allowed him to play. Never absent since.
“In all cases, all the praise should go to him and Orta who brought him here.”
The thought of Klich playing a centre-back is a strange one, as he doesn’t seem to possess any of the physical or defensive qualities to star there.
While Klich would be a talented central defender on the ball, playing at the back would surely limit his boundless energy, which is a key part of his game.
Bielsa must be grateful that he gave Klich an opportunity now, as he has developed into a vital player for Leeds.
The Polish international has played in every single one of the Whites’ games so far this term, and looks set to start again at the weekend, when they take on Everton.
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