Is there much point in Mateusz Klich returning to Leeds United this summer?
On-loan Leeds United midfielder Mateusz Klich revealed to Dutch outlet AD on Monday he is “99 percent” sure that he will return to Elland Road this summer.
The Poland international has impressed on a half-season loan at FC Utrecht since January but effectively confirmed that he’s heading back to Leeds, after commenting on his “unfinished business” in Yorkshire.
That was a reference to how Klich – only given 135 minutes of Championship football by ex-Whites boss Thomas Christiansen – failed to make much of an impact in English football following his £1.5 million move last summer.
But looking at Leeds’ current midfield options, will he be any better off under Paul Heckingbottom?
United snapped up Adam Forshaw on a £4.5 million deal after he left for the Eredivisie and the Liverpudlian midfielder has won the fans’ affections already.
He is sure to be one of two starting central midfielders for Heckingbottom’s side next season, which means that Klich would be battling it out with Ronaldo Vieira, Kalvin Phillips and Eunan O’Kane again this summer.
O’Kane has had a terrible second half to the season and may be offloaded, but even still it remains to be seen if Klich can keep Phillips or Vieira – who was outstanding in Sunday’s win over QPR – out of the first XI every week.
Vieira has two full seasons of regular football under his belt and, at 19, could get a lot better next season.
On the other hand, Heckingbottom could plan on using Klich as an alternative playmaker, but even if he does he won’t be playing ahead of Pablo Hernandez, or Samu Saiz if he stays at Elland Road.
The former FC Twente star has enjoyed his return to the Eredivisie this year, but it’s still hard to see him being a regular starter next season and therefore maybe, just maybe, he should stay where he is.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
