Marcelo Bielsa reacts to Adam Forshaw’s display in Leeds defeat

Follow us on Google Discover

Marcelo Bielsa lauded Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw’s latest display.

In comments reported by Leeds Live, Marcelo Bielsa has labelled Adam Forshaw one of the best players in the Leeds squad, and insisted that he was the side’s best player at Stoke last weekend.

Forshaw has come in for some criticism at various stages throughout the season. He had the incredibly difficult task of replacing Kalvin Phillips when the holding midfielder dropped into defence and was subsequently suspended, and unfortunately for Forshaw, his performances did not quite reach the same standard – though it cannot be overlooked that Leeds went on a sensational winning run during that period.

However, the 27-year-old – who signed for £4.5 million, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post – responded to his critics in perfect fashion with a superb performance in the fantastic win against Derby County earlier this month.

And after naming the midfielder in his side for the trip to Rotherham this weekend, Bielsa insisted that he is a big fan of Forshaw in the holding role when asked whether he was tempted to push Phillips back into the middle of the park.

“Adam Forshaw plays very well as a number 4. He is one of the best players of the team,” he said, as reported by Leeds Live.

“As a matter of fact against Stoke, he was the best player.”

There has been few doubts about Forshaw’s quality. Even when he was receiving criticism, much of it seemed to be based on his form in the role that is so important to Bielsa’s system and that Phillips has thrived in this season.

He appeared to turn a corner against Derby as he could not have done anymore to boost Leeds’ chances of winning that game. And while Stoke was a disappointing day for the Whites, Bielsa clearly feels that he was one player that should be allowed to hold his head up high following that game.