Noel Whelan labels Mateusz Klich’s performance in Leeds’ cup win as immense

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Leeds United booked their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a hugely impressive win over Burnley.

Noel Whelan told BBC Radio Leeds that he thought that Mateusz Klich was immense during Leeds’ Carabao Cup victory over Burnley at Turf Moor and his performance silenced anyone who doubted the Poland international.

Klich has endured a frustrating time since arriving at Elland Road in the summer. He went into the clash with the Clarets still awaiting his first Championship start and having only made two substitute appearances for the Whites.

But Klich – alongside Ronaldo Vieira, who has similarly struggled for opportunities this season – was excellent in the game, helping Leeds reach the fourth round following a penalty shootout after the match had finished 2-2 after 120 minutes.

And Whelan could not help but heap praise upon the 27-year-old, suggesting that any questions asking whether he would prove to be a good signing for the club have been answered emphatically.

“There were question marks over certain players, why they were at the club, why they’ve been brought in and I think they’ve answered those questions. And tonight for me personally, Klich, I thought was excellent. All the way through the game, up until his penalty as well. He took his penalty as nonchalantly as you like,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.

“It’s the way he covered the ground, he took care of the ball, his passing, challenging, really being a menace in that midfield. He’s got such composure on the ball, and he always seems to have so much time on the ball, but he likes to get forward too,” he would later add.

“He was just immense tonight, he really was.”

The victory perhaps highlights why Leeds are arguably in a better position to challenge for promotion this season than they were last term when they came desperately close to winning a play-off spot.

A number of players who have barely featured this season, including Klich, were given prominent roles against the Premier League side, and they rose to the challenge to ensure Leeds will be in the hat for the next round, and that depth could be the factor that enables them to challenge to join Burnley in the top flight next year.