Mateusz Klich has not started a Championship game since swapping the Eredivisie for Leeds United – the arrival of an ex-Arsenal wonderkid wouldn’t help.
Mateusz Klich’s Championship action may stand at just 34 minutes so far, spread across two cameo substitute appearances, but his performance in the recent EFL Cup victory over Premier League opposition Burnley showed supporters what they’ve got to look forward to.
Klich was not only neat and tidy with his distribution but ran the show in the centre of the park as Leeds edged out Sean Dyche’s Clarets on penalties following a thriller of a 2-2 draw.
The Polish international arrived from FC Twente this summer with a big reputation but, after missing much of pre-season through injury, it is perhaps no surprise that he has started a little slower than fellow new arrivals Pierre-Michel Lasogga, Samu Saiz and co at Elland Road.
Yet, that Burnley performance appeared to be a turning point and a belated welcome into English football. Therefore, reports in The Mail that Leeds have sent scouts to watch Fran Merida in action for Spanish second tier side Osasuna appear a little counterproductive.
The one-time Arsenal wonderkid, who earned rave reviews in Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy before The Gunners stole him away amid great controversy at the age of 15, is rebuilding his career with Osasuna after an ill-judged move to Atletico Madrid appeared to leave him washed up on the footballing scrapheap.
Renowned for his perfectly weighted through balls and ability to dictate tempo from the centre of the park, Merida, who played alongside Saiz at Huesca, would certainly fit Thomas Christiansen’s possession-based system.
However, in Klich, Leeds already have a player capable of keeping the play ticking over and opening up defences with intelligent forward passes.
Yet, whether Leeds scouting Merida is a sign that Christiansen simply doesn’t rate Klich all that highly is open for debate.
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