Leeds boss admits he put Vurnon Anita’s needs ahead of the club’s. Should he regret that decision?
An injury crisis at Leeds United has turned into an epidemic with key first team defenders out injured.
The Whites are having to try out untested options in central defence, and at right-back they are now trying to find a fourth choice solution.
The injuries call into question manager Marcelo Bielsa’s decision to send Vurnon Anita out on loan.
Anita’s strength is his versatility, and the former Dutch international could have really been of benefit to Leeds right now.
Instead Leeds sent him on loan to Willem II in the Eredivisie, where he has had a slow start after missing pre-season, but is now featuring regularly.
Marcelo Bielsa admitted agonising over the decision in the summer.
He told Goal that keeping Anita was best for the club, but he put the player first.
Bielsa said: “It could have been a good thing to have Anita with us, it would have been better for me but I think it would be unfair to keep a player with us if he doesn’t have the possibility to get the time he deserves.”
This looks like a potential mistake right now.
It’s easy to write off a player’s chances of featuring regularly in August, but when injuries and suspensions strike in the midst of a long Championship season, circumstances can quickly change.
Leeds would be a stronger team right now if they had Anita available, and there is a strong chance he would have improved on last season’s performances with Bielsa’s coaching.
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