Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa was reportedly the only domestic boss in attendance as England’s under-20s beat Italy.
According to a report from The Sun on Sunday (21/10; page 61), Marcelo Bielsa was the only boss of an English club that was present as England’s under-20s beat Italy 2-1 during the international break, with the Leeds coach said to have potential targets on his radar.
Leeds may not have had a game in the fortnight before they faced Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, but Bielsa still managed to make some headlines when he was pictured in the crowd at Barnsley’s League One clash with Luton Town last weekend.
And it appears that that was not the only game that the Argentinian went to during the break. The Sun on Sunday (21/10; page 61) reports that he was the only domestic boss that travelled to Fylde as England’s under-20 side won against Italy.
The game saw Whites full-back Tom Pearce play the full 90 minutes, while Ronaldo Vieira got just under half an hour to impress the boss that sold him to Sampdoria in the summer.
The report adds that as well as watching Pearce, Bielsa also had his eye on potential targets, which makes sense given that the January transfer window will seemingly come around a lot sooner once the Championship fixture list gets into full swing after the next international break in November.
While no targets are named in the report, here are a handful of players that Bielsa should have had his eye on as well as a player that he should perhaps be slightly disappointed he did not get to see more of…
Sam Field (West Brom)
Sam Field is struggling for game-time with West Brom, but the frustration that that generates amongst the Baggies fans highlights just how much potential they believe he has. Darren Moore has flirted with converting the midfielder into a centre-back this term, so he would perhaps be someone who could back up Kalvin Phillips if Leeds pursued a move.
Joe Willock (Arsenal)
Joe Willock scored the winning goal on the night from the penalty spot. He has scored for Arsenal’s first-team this term and offers plenty of versatility in midfield, so could potentially be a good loan target for January.
Eberechi Eze (QPR)
The London Evening Standard reported in September that Spurs, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City were amongst those to scout Eberechi Eze this season. He has scored three Championship goals this season, and Leeds should have a look in the hope that they can convince him that a switch to Elland Road would be a better move for his career right now.
George Hirst (OH Leuven)
George Hirst came on in stoppage-time so would not have had a chance to impress against Italy. But perhaps he may have still been a player that Bielsa was keen to have a look at. The Daily Mirror reported in 2017 that Leeds wanted to sign Hirst from Sheffield Wednesday before he completed a surprise move to Belgian club OH Leuven – whose owners also run Leicester City, another club reportedly keen on the striker back in 2017. Could he be a player that Bielsa wants Leeds to renew their previous interest in?
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