Pablo Hernandez’s contract with Leeds United expires this summer, but the Whites can take up an option to extend that deal by another year.
Pablo Hernandez celebrates scoring
Before Leeds’ clash with Norwich City on Saturday, Whites fans would be forgiven for suggesting that the club would be wise to avoid taking up the option in Pablo Hernandez’s contract which expires this summer (via Yorkshire Evening Post).
When Hernandez agreed his permanent switch to Elland Road in January, the deal he signed involved a clause that would allow a 12 month extension to be triggered at the end of the season.
But while the fact that he can go missing in games would tempt some supporters to suggest that that option should not be activated, he arguably proved with a moment of brilliance in the draw with the Canaries that he still has a role to play next term.
With Leeds 3-2 down with around 10 minutes to go and needing a victory to keep their play-off hopes alive, Hernandez stepped up with a sumptuous free-kick to equalise. And while it came too late to salvage the side’s promotion hopes, it proved that letting him go may be a mistake.
The former Swansea man may leave supporters frequently tearing their hair out – and, in fairness, the frustration is not helped by the moments of top flight class like the free-kick – but he can provide the quality to make potentially game-changing contributions that Leeds desperately need as they try to go one better next year.
Of course, there is definitely an argument that he should not be relied upon so much if he does stick around, but there is surely no reason why he and Kemar Roofe cannot still be the two men who have that central attacking midfield role covered at Elland Road next term.
He proved against Norwich that he can provide moments of sheer brilliance, and thus, letting him go would be a brave move even if the supporters have to put up with further bouts of frustration.
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