Bielsa is renowned for his unusual system and could implement it at Leeds.
New Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa is likely to implement his renowned 3-3-1-3 system that he has been associated with – earning praise from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola in the past as the “best coach in the world”.
The Whites boast plenty of central midfielders and plenty of attacking talent, and that should help Bielsa use his favoured formation in the coming months, beginning with the welcome of Stoke City on August 5.
Kalvin Phillips, Eunan O’Kane, Ronaldo Vieira, Mateusz Klich, Yosuke Ideguchi and Adam Forshaw will all be batting for a place in midfield, but none are known for their ability to play in the number 10 role.
Bielsa’s formation uses a narrow front three, and that could see Pablo Hernandez and Samu Saiz sit either side of what is likely to be a new target man at Elland Road.
That leaves the vacant space in between midfield and attack available – indeed the ‘1’ role – and new signing Lewis Baker is the perfect players to fill such a position.
The Chelsea star has joined Leeds on a season-long loan and has proven, when given the chance, that he can score and create in his role to link up the midfield and attack.
During the 2016-17 campaign, he notched up 15 goals from midfield for Dutch top-tier side Vitesse Arnhem, and scored two goals for Middlesbrough last term before being ostracised by Garry Monk and then Tony Pulis.
His ability to create something out of nothing, with three attacking stars in front of him, will surely bring the best out of Baker who also boasts the stamina that is required to fill into the three behind him and offer more defensive cover.
In short, Baker is the perfect player for Bielsea’s attacking-midfield role if the Argentine uses a 3-3-1-3 system.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
