Pep Guardiola has claimed that Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa ‘never complains’, as he told his Manchester City pre-match press conference.
The Manchester City boss highlighted the injury problems Leeds have had to deal with this season and doesn’t think they are suffering from second season syndrome.
From the previous campaign, Leeds have dipped slightly and they have been hovering above the Premier League’s relegation zone from the get-go.
But it needs to be remembered that Bamford has been out long-term – returned to action and then was injured straight away upon his return – Kalvin Phillips is currently out, alongside Liam Cooper and Rodrigo.
Even then, they still managed to turn up at Stamford Bridge over the weekend and provide Chelsea with a scare following their 3-2 defeat.
Guardiola highlighted the ‘important players’ that are missing for the Whites and how Bielsa isn’t complaining about the issue.
“I don’t think so (on second-season syndrome),” said Guardiola. “Bamford was injured a long time. Kalvin Phillips and a few important players.
“If there is one person that never complains about what happens is Marcelo and he loves to work when the situations are tough.
“You see the stats and you see the style. There isn’t a single game where they aren’t creating more chances than the opponent.”
Guardiola does raise an interesting point about Bielsa not complaining because many managers would have got the excuses book out by now.
Yet, Bielsa just gets on with the job and ensures that it doesn’t affect the team, and instead, provides the chances to the younger players.
Joe Gelhardt is a prime example following his first Premier League goal for the club at Stamford Bridge over the weekend.
After his impressive cameo from the bench, Gelhardt will be hoping to start at the Etihad, although Tyler Roberts has been producing strong performances of late.
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