The Sheffield Wednesday forward is free to face Leeds United after suspension.
If there’s one Championship player desperate to face Leeds United this season it’s Fernando Forestieri.
The Sheffield Wednesday forward was a target for Leeds ahead of his 2015 move to Hillsborough – before the Whites’ interest was ended by their then-owner Massimo Cellino, who claimed that Forestieri did not have the ‘right mentality’ to play for his team. But while Cellino may be long gone, there is a fresh incentive for Forestieri to impress against Leeds – and his name is Marcelo Bielsa.
It was at Forestieri’s hometown team, the Rosario-based Newell’s Old Boys – that Bielsa made his name in club management, winning two Argentine titles and reaching the final of the Copa Libertadores. And the Wednesday man has already this season expressed his admiration for the veteran boss on Twitter.
But while Forestieri is free to feature against his hero’s new side on Friday, following a three-game ban for misconduct, the Owls’ performance at Aston Villa on Saturday – and specifically that of Marco Matias, impressing in the role favoured by the former Italy youth international – will likely force him back to the bench.
Any decision to leave out Forestieri is not however one the Wednesday manager, Jos Luhukay, is likely to take lightly, of course. Barry Bannan may have been the Owls’ – and indeed one of the Championship’s – star performer(s) this season, acting as the electrical conductor through which most of his side’s play tends to flow, but it is Forestieri – scorer of 23 goals in 43 league games at Hillsborough – who produces arguably the brightest light.
Those present for Leeds’ visit however, may have to wait a bit to see if it shines.
Should Sheffield Wednesday start Forestieri against Leeds?
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