Matteo suggests Leeds boss could have interesting plan for £13m powerhouse
Dominic Matteo reckons that Marcelo Bielsa might have a new plan for Robin Koch in Leeds United’s next game.
The Whites have sorely missed the engine and passing range of Kalvin Phillips as of late.
Phillips, who played a huge role in helping Leeds win promotion last season, has been injured since a 1-0 home defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers a month ago.
Since then, United won one and lost two of their last three games – but both defeats were by a 4-1 scoreline, illustrating that the lack of the 24-year-old in front of Bielsa’s back four is becoming a problem.
Arsenal are next up for the Elland Road club and Matteo believes that the veteran coach could bring Germany centre-back Koch into the Phillips role for the visit of the North Londoners.
He told The Yorkshire Evening Post: “One way that it may be solved is by Robin Koch coming into that defensive midfield role given he has played there for Germany recently.
“That has been another big frustration because it might have been something Bielsa would’ve tried had Diego Llorente been available but we’re yet to see him out on the pitch since he arrived in the summer.”
Bielsa should leave Koch where he is.
Leeds spent £13 million on the towering defender during the summer and it’s already been a mixed first few months in the Premier League for him.
But there have been signs that he’s been getting better and it might be a mistake for Bielsa to disrupt that.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
