Fans are crying out for the return of the Leeds United midfielder.
Leeds United manager Thomas Christiansen’s decision to overlook Ronaldo Vieira has gone from bizarre to downright absurd, with the Whites heading into the weekend clash against Bristol City off the back of three straight defeats.
Kalvin Phillips may have scored four goals this season, but those strikes alone should not save him from what seems to so many fans as an inevitable chop, especially when half his goals came on the opening weekend of the season.
The 21-year-old’s lack of pace and defensive nous are in stark contrast to Vieira’s ability in the centre of the park, so why is Christiansen insisting on overlooking a 19-year-old who was one of the Championship’s standout players last season.
If the Leeds boss simply does not fancy Vieira in his starting line-up, he is wrong, especially as he continues to suggest the teenager will have a big role to play in time.
Exactly when will that be? Because as things stand Leeds’ initially promising season is at risk of falling apart
Thankfully for Leeds they are still only six points off top spot but, having been at the summit just a few short weeks ago, they cannot afford to rack up many more successive defeats with the leading pack beginning to pull away.
Three brief substitute appearances are the sum total of Vieira’s league time this season and that is nothing short of ridiculous.
If Leeds’ midfield was bossing their opponents time and again, we could understand it. Instead Christiansen is causing a problem he could easily solve with a quick change of personnel.
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