Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa has told the club’s official YouTube channel that Stuart Dallas is not at the same level as last season.
Bielsa made the comments about Dallas ahead of the Premier League game between Leeds and West Ham United.
The match will be played at Elland Road on Saturday.
Bielsa told Leeds’s official YouTube channel about Dallas: “His performances have not been at the same level as last year. But there are reasons to understand why it’s not that way.
“And every game he plays, he plays a little bit better than the previous one.
“I have every confidence that this Saturday, or the following Saturday, or in a short space of time, he’s going to come back to his high level. It’s not that I have confidence, it’s that I’m sure of it.”
Improving
Dallas is one of the best players at Leeds and is one of the first names on the teamsheet when he is fit and available.
The Northern Ireland international helped the Whites gain promotion from the Championship and then made sure that the team had a great season in the Premier League.
Just like very player does from time to time, Dallas – who is a very versatile footballer and can play as a wing-back, winger, midfielder or full-back – is going through a bad spell.
The Leeds no.15 has provided one assist in five Premier League appearances so far this season.
The former Brentford star scored eight goals and gave two assists in 38 Premier League appearances for Leeds last season.
Leeds head coach Bielsa clearly has faith in Dallas, which must be very encouraging for the 30-year-old Northern Ireland.
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