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Birmingham boss Garry Monk lauds Leeds star Pablo Hernandez

Garry Monk the manager (James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images)
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Garry Monk was the Leeds United head coach who brought Pablo Hernandez to Elland Road.

Leeds United's Pablo Hernandez celebrates scoring the winning goal - his side's third  during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Millwall at Elland Road on March 30,...

In comments reported by Birmingham Live, Garry Monk suggested that Pablo Hernandez is one of the best players in the Championship and shared his plans to have a chat with the Leeds star after the Whites face Birmingham City this weekend.

Monk may not be popular with many of the Leeds fans following his exit in 2017, but his move to get Hernandez through the Elland Road door is one decision that the supporters will forever be grateful for.

The Spaniard has been outstanding this season. His brace in the 3-2 win against Millwall at the weekend has taken his tally to 12 goals in the Championship, while he has also provided 11 assists.

Marcelo Bielsa will be hoping that Hernandez can turn it on again at St Andrew’s this Saturday. But Monk admitted that he is hoping that the magician has an off-day on this occasion.

Garry Monk the manager

“Pablo is obviously one of the best players in the league, especially offensively. He is a quality above in this league, that’s why I brought him to Leeds,” he said, as reported by Birmingham Live.

“We are hoping he doesn’t contribute as well in this game, I will have a good chat with him afterwards – but hopefully he doesn’t perform as well as he has done.”

Pablo Hernandez of Leeds United celebrates after scoring his sides first goal to make score 1-1 during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Millwall at Elland Road on...

It must be noted that Bielsa has been the man to take Hernandez’s game to another level. He had a direct hand in 14 goals under Monk, and 15 during the campaign overseen by Thomas Christiansen and Paul Heckingbottom.

He is already well past those tallies this year having had a direct hand in 23 goals. And given the way that he is currently playing, it would not be a huge surprise if he could take that total to 30 during the seven remaining games of the season. If he does, it would be difficult to imagine Leeds not finishing inside the top two.