Hernandez has two genuine rivals for his place in the Leeds United side it now seems.
Leeds United star Pablo Hernandez has told BBC Radio Leeds that he is pleased that he faces so much competition for a place in Garry Monk’s team following Alex Mowatt’s impressive display on Monday.
The Spaniard had established himself as the Whites’ first-choice attacking midfielder following his loan switch. However, an injury earlier in the campaign allowed for Kemar Roofe to come in, and the summer signing certainly took full advantage of the opportunity by putting in some of his best displays in a Leeds shirt.
Leeds United’s Pablo Hernandez
And Monk’s selection dilemma became slightly more complicated earlier this week as Mowatt showed signs that he still has something to offer at Elland Road by inspiring the team to their FA Cup victory over Cambridge.
But Hernandez suggested that the amount of depth can only be a good thing for the club’s promotion chances.
“I think this is important in a team,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.
“In my career, always I play with this. I played in big teams, I played in Valencia, I played in Swansea, I always had competition for playing in the 11 that start.
Leeds’ Alex Mowatt
“And when the boss has a problem for the 11 that start because he has more players who deserve to play, it’s good because the season is long and [he] needs all the players, but I have confidence in myself.”
Though Roofe has looked much brighter in recent times while Mowatt put in his best display of the campaign against the League Two side, it would arguably be a surprise if Monk did not pick Hernandez for their most crucial games if he had all three available.
The 31-year-old looks to have that extra bit of quality – that both of his rivals may have in the future – and thus, he may be the most influential during their promotion chase.
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