Noel Whelan has claimed that Marcelo Bielsa probably won’t be bringing Liam Cooper back into his first XI for Leeds United’s next game.
The Whites captain missed Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea at Elland Road due to illness.
Instead, Bielsa paired Pascal Struijk and Diego Llorente together in Leeds’ defence and it was a fine defensive display from the pair, who seemed to be on the same wavelength.
United are back in action away to Fulham on Friday night and Whelan, speaking to West Yorkshire Sport, suggested that there’s no room for Cooper to return after lauding Struijk and Llorente.
He said, when asked if it’ll be hard for Bielsa to axe both players from yesterday: “Yes absolutely. They’ve put pressure on, given the manager something really serious to think about, that’s for sure.
“When players are injured or not involved you have to take your opportunity. Struijk and Llorente looked solid at the back, a good partnership there. I would keep the two for the Fulham game, absolutely.”
Is Whelan right? Well you can’t fault his logic, but if Cooper is fit, he might just return.
Bielsa is fiercely loyal to his Leeds players and in all likelyhood he will restore the 29-year-old to his starting lineup at Craven Cottage.
After all, he is club captain and therefore Bielsa clearly values his leadership. Struijk and Llorente were definitely brilliant against the Blues, but Friday is another day and the Scotland international will probably return.
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