Has Pawel Cibicki played his final game for Championship favourites Leeds United? He’s moved to the Eredivisie on loan with ADO Den Haag.
If Leeds United fans learned anything from a certain Amazon expose, it’s never to question the commitment of their bearded, bespectacled director of football Victor Orta.
Previously much-maligned among the Elland Road faithful and tainted for his ruinous spell at Middlesbrough, a behind-the-scenes insight showed us all the real Victor Orta; a man desperate to succeed and bring glory back to this grand old club.
That wasn’t crocodile tears stinging in his eyes after that Derby collapse or the Daniel James saga.
But as long as the Spaniard continues to pay good money for players like Jay-Roy Grot, Vurnon Anita, Felix Wiedwald and Pawel Cibicki, he’ll never silence the critics entirely.
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If you drew up a list of the signings Orta has made since arriving at Leeds two years ago, perhaps only two or three could count as an unqualified success. Cibicki certainly isn’t in that camp.
Big things were expected when the former Sweden U21 star arrived in West Yorkshire from Malmo for around £1.5 million, as reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post. But ten goalless and largely unimpressive games later, the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa pretty much killed his Leeds career stone dead.
After spending last season on loan at Elfsborg, Cibicki has now moved to Holland, joining ADO Den Haag on a temporary basis. The Eredivisie outfit have an option to buy should he rediscover his golden touch in a league which seems to regard defending as optional (YEP).
But how do Leeds fans feel as another Orta misfit heads for the exit? Well, for all those wondering what might have been, this seems like a parting of the ways that suits everyone involved.
Am I the only one who actually rated him and think he’d be great in a Bielsa side
— Øłłÿ (@ClinicalCosta17) August 21, 2019
Another strange signing – but I do have a nagging feeling Cibicki could have had his uses under MB… #lufc https://t.co/7QWByHvQoq
— EastStandUpper (@EastStandUpper) August 21, 2019
Not saying we’ll regret moving him on but he had something about him technique-wise… would have been interesting to see him with a better platform.
— EastStandUpper (@EastStandUpper) August 21, 2019
If only Bielsa had the same feeling
— Jonathan Kelly (@Bleedingwhite) August 21, 2019
unfortunately Bielsa has his small group of seniors & then U23s for his squad .. that’s why these lads like Pawel & Hugo Diaz (next contract had to be senior) can’t stay .. if we had O’Leary as boss all these lads that have left would have contracts & squad numbers #lufc
— DelGarde (@delmeister1) August 21, 2019
Thought Cibicki had some potential but just not in the picture & hasn’t done enough to be in 1st team squad. Likely it won’t now work out for us as not on MBs radar unless he is outstanding for ADO Den Haag. Will be interested to see how he does though. #lufc #MOT
— Marc F (@billywigwam13) August 21, 2019
All of these experts thinking Cibicki could have been useful under Bielsa … as if Bielsa got it wrong or has missed something these experts know – Bielsa figured him out in last seasons pre-season, just thank Victor they’ve got him off the @lufc books https://t.co/OrHP415Y6N
— Jonathan Kelly (@Bleedingwhite) August 21, 2019
Another Orta flop
— Indy Bansel (@IndyBansel) August 21, 2019
Sensible, way down the pecking order. Had forgotten about him tbh
— James Pearson (@JamesPearson25) August 21, 2019
In other news, Gareth Bale issues five-word Instagram message to Tottenham fans after brace against Burnley