Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United were reportedly pipped to the post by Championship rivals Bristol City for Sammie Szmodics.
Yes, it was only Hallen FC, a Non-League outfit from the Western League Premier Division, but Sammie Szmodics still made one hell of an impression on his Bristol City debut.
An attacking midfielder who boasted a fine goalscoring record at League Two level with Colchester United, the skilful 23-year-old gave Robins fans a tantalising glimpse of his potential with a marvellous performance in a pre-season fixture which ended in a staggering 14-0 win for Lee Johnson’s side.
He could hardly have made a better first impression on his new supporters, who have taken to Twitter in their droves to welcome a new rising star to Ashton Gate. Those two well taken goals were just the tip of the iceberg.
And you have to wonder whether Leeds United will live to regret failing to act sooner.
According to Bristol Live, Marcelo Bielsa’s side made a last-gasp, eleventh hour bid to bring Szmodics to Elland Road before he headed to the south west instead.
With Samu Saiz out of favour and Pablo Hernandez in his mid-30s these days, Leeds are crying out for another number 10 with the skill to open up a defence and find the back of the net on a semi-regular basis.
In Szmodics, Bristol City might just have signed the player Leeds needed. If only they’d realised that before he was already on his way to Ashton Gate.
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