Has Paul Heckingbottom just explained why Samu Saiz has been dropped by Leeds United?

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Samu Saiz hasn’t started in either of Leeds United’s last two matches, which has come as a surprise to many.

Paul Heckingbottom’s suggestion to the Yorkshire Evening Post that he is using the final few weeks of the season as a testing ground for next term, may explain why Samu Saiz has played a peripheral role at Leeds United recently.

Saiz has not started in either of Leeds’ last two matches, and Heckingbottom has received criticism for his decision to drop the Spaniard.

However, it does make sense, if Heckingbottom wants to see who should be kept and who should be sold this summer.

Saiz has already proven that he has a part to play at Elland Road next season, as he has been one of Leeds’ brightest talents this term since signing for £3 million from Huesca.

Admittedly, the attacking midfielder’s form has not been as impressive since the turn of the year, but Leeds surely won’t be contemplating selling him in the summer.

The futures of the likes of Kemar Roofe and Caleb Ekuban are less certain, though.

And Heckingbottom has suggested that he is now discovering which players are good enough to remain at Leeds next season.

“It makes all these games good and tough for us and it gives me a fair reflection in assessing the players because there’s something riding on the game,” Heckingbottom said, ahead of Leeds’ match against Barnsley.

“Everyone’s had an opportunity and I’ve been fair with everyone, The type of team that ends up on the pitch next season has to reflect me. I want to see people fighting, trying to overachieve. They’ll go on and do good things if they do that.”

Heckingbottom’s comments show that there is some logic behind his decision to drop Saiz. And the play maker could now be set to have a rotational role at Leeds over the remainder of the campaign.