Did Leeds United make a mistake not renewing interest in Krystian Bielik?
Leeds United reportedly wanted Krystian Bielik once upon a time.
According to Goal.com, Leeds held talks with Arsenal in the summer of 2017 to sign the versatile starlet.
The 20-year-old got injured before the end of that transfer window and never moved anywhere, but why didn’t the Whites renew an interest last summer.
It would have been United’s Director of Football Victor Orta who wanted him 18 months ago and with the Spaniard still at Elland Road, why not make another move?
He could have been a very useful asset at Leeds this season.
Marcelo Bielsa has been forced to test the versatility of a number of players in recent weeks and months due to an injury crisis, especially in terms of defensive options.
Not only is Bielik a very talented centre-back, but he is also an excellent defensive midfielder and one who has courted a lot of praise from former Leeds star Lee Bowyer.
Bowyer, who signed him for Charlton, told Newsshopper last weekend: “Playing centre half I think is too easy for him. I think he reads the game very well, he’s very, very comfortable in possession, but he gives so much more – I think – playing in front of the back four because of his physicality and protection, you know?”
It must be noted that Charlton are in League One, but the Arsenal prodigy has proven himself at Championship level after a spell at Birmingham two years ago.
Leeds needed another centre-back last summer – they still do in fact – and Bielik has to represent a missed opportunity. He is a superior player to Conor Shaughnessy and probably Aapo Halme too.
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