Leeds fans really wanted to re-sign Kyle Bartley.
Leeds United supporters were left bemused and disappointed as the club stood by and let West Bromwich Albion sign Swansea defender Kyle Bartley.
Bartley starred for Leeds on loan in 2016/17 and became a fan favourite, even captaining the side.
It is a controversial decision from Bielsa, and one without an obvious reason.
That is, until you look at his signings at Lille last summer.
Bielsa signed more than a dozen players for Lille, nearly all of which were under 23.
His biggest investments were trio Thiago Maia, 20, Martin Terrier, 20, Luiz Araujo, 21, and Nicolas Pepe, 22, for a combined 34 million Euros.
He then signed Kevin Malcuit, 25, Thiago Mendes, 25, and the one exception, Nicolas De Preville, 26.
Kyle Bartley is older than all of these players, recently turning 27.
Bielsa is very specific about the players he wants, and has a clear focus on youth.
Bartley made his league debut nine years ago, and has a recent history of knee injuries.
Leeds’ new manager clearly has his own ideas about who he wants to sign, but his preferences last summer showed a clear pattern.
He may be only just over last year’s cut off of 26-years-old being Bielsa’s oldest signing, but he is over that threshold nonetheless.
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