Bielsa wanted ‘great player’ at Leeds; Now in Championship drop zone

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As Daniel James will tell you, when Marcelo Bielsa settles on a transfer target, he tends to stick to it like a limpet on a rock.  

After missing out on the then-Swansea City forward in the dying seconds of the January 2019 transfer window, Leeds United returned with a vengeance some 18 months later, jumping at the chance to finally sign one of their longest-running transfer targets even after his asking price had ballooned to around £25 million. An underwhelming year-and-a-half at Old Trafford had no bearing on Leeds’ interest.

So, in a parallel universe somewhere, John Swift is threading through balls into the path an onrushing James, as Bielsa watches on, unblinking, calves straining on the Elland Road sidelines.  

According to Phil Hay, West Yorkshire’s answer to Fabrizio Romano, there was a very real chance that Swift could have arrived at Elland Road some 10 months ago. Before Bielsa’s position became untenable on the back of some heavy and humiliating defeats. 

Marcelo Bielsa wanted West Brom midfielder John Swift at Leeds United

The enigmatic Argentine memorably described Swift as a ‘great player’ ahead of a Championship clash with Reading back in 2020. And it is certainly no coincidence that Leeds’ interest in the one-time Chelsea starlet appeared to follow Bielsa out the door. Focus quickly shifted to the likes of Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams; two Red Bull guzzlers who played under one Jesse Marsch at Leipzig and Salzburg. 

Now just four points off the bottom of the Championship table, the Premier League certainly feels like a long way away for Swift these days. Following Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Luton – and following humbling defeats to Preston, Swansea and Midland neighbours Birmingham City – a West Brom side who went into the season as automatic promotion candidates now find themselves stuck in the relegation zone. One win from a possible 13 to their name. 

Now, the departure of Steve Bruce on Monday morning might have been greeted with a sigh of relief by many a West Brom supporter. A sacking long overdue and most-certainly warranted. But Swift, very much Bruce’s man, could be forgiven for wondering what the future holds for him at the Hawthorns. Who knows what Bruce’s successor will think of the 27-year-old; a player who’s work-rate and influence is starting to come under question by a furious Baggies fanbase? 

Swift hit double figures for goals and assists in 2021/22, after all. So far this term, he’s got just two of each. A ‘great player’? Not on this form.