Eddie Gray has explained that Leeds United’s Samuel Saiz can be more effective when he plays with Pablo Hernandez.
Eddie Gray believes that Leeds United playmaker Samuel Saiz can play with a lot more freedom when he has teammate Pablo Hernandez alongside him in the centre of the park.
Saiz, 27, has made a positive start to the season and is a permanent feature in the Whites starting XI, but is still waiting for his first league goal.
The Spaniard was frustratingly nullified in the goalless draw against Middlesborough in the last game before the international break and club legend Gray believes the injury absence of Hernandez in that match had an impact.
Gray insists that Leeds will have Saiz at his free-flowing best when he has the confidence of Hernandez alongside him.
“I think Leeds United fans were a little disappointed when we saw the team sheet [against Boro] that Pablo Hernandez wasn’t playing, I think when he plays it gives Samuel Saiz a little bit more freedom,” Gray told LUTV.
“Because Pablo is not playing, Saiz thinks the onus is on me to try and create something for the side.”
Marcelo Bielsa has preferred the duo of Saiz and Hernandez in the centre so far this season, but it’s the latter that has shone so far with three goals and two assists in his five games.
Hernandez, 33, is emerging as a vital player at Elland Road under Bielsa and there is a suggestion he allows other players to flourish around him.
Saiz looks like he can go to another gear when domestic football resumes after the internationals and his side will hope to maintain their spot at the top of the Championship table.
The playmaker is likely to have Hernandez next to him for the majority of games this year and Leeds fans should be hoping Gray’s theory comes true, with Saiz recapturing his best form in front of goal.
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