Leeds pairing reported target El-Mhanni with Bielsa could be an exciting prospect

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Championship giants Leeds United reportedly want to sign Yassin Ben El-Mhanni from Premier League outfit Newcastle United in the summer transfer window.

Leeds United need a lot to go their way if they are to win the race for Yassin Ben El-Mhanni.

According to The Mail, Leeds are interested in signing the 22-year-old winger with his contract at Newcastle United about to come to an end. But they are not the only ones. Watford, Wolves and Sporting Lisbon are already interested.

But with Marcelo Bielsa at the helm, anything seems possible right now. And if El-Mhanni wants to make the grade and show why he is viewed by some as one of the most skilful street footballers anywhere in the UK, joining forces with the legendary Argentine tactician could be the making of him.

The jury remains out on whether El-Mhanni is cut out for top level football. The Chelsea-born talent is a relative latecomer to the professional game, he was playing non-league football for Lewes as recently as 2016, but there is no doubting his god-given gifts.

El-Mhanni, once dubbed the ‘non-league Riyad Mahrez’, is famed for his skill. He is a YouTube phenomenon, a one-time Chelsea trialist and even a body double for Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo in commercials for Sport on Screen. El-Mhanni would more than likely start life at Elland Road with the U23s but, given Leeds record of promoting from within, he would be given a chance if he impresses behind the scenes.

But why should El-Mhanni choose Leeds over Wolves, Watford or Sporting? Well, the prospect of working under and learning from Bielsa is a very exciting one for a talented young winger. The 62-year-old is renowned for his rather unique usage of wide-men, positioning them in a roving, interior role to suit his 3-3-3-1 system.

This would teach El-Mhanni the other part of the game, the defensive awareness and the tactical side of football. El-Mhanni’s natural speed and skill would be encouraged at Wolves, Watford and co but he could perhaps learn more and enhance his skill-set even more at Leeds.

As the likes of Iker Munain and Alexis Sanchez will tell you, Bielsa is a man who is capable of taking young forwards to a whole new level.

So El-Mhanni’s natural skill married with Bielsa’s tactical nous could make for a devastating combination.