Bryce Hosannah has told Leeds Live that Leeds United’s academy talents have a real chance of making their senior breakthroughs this season if they stand out to Marcelo Bielsa.
The right-back, who left Elland Road on a free transfer to join Wrexham this summer, feels their chances will only come through hard work.
Bielsa is not in the boat of handing out first-team minutes unless he believes they have been earned. As Hosannah, who joined the Whites’ academy in his youth, can attest to.
Hosannah never made his first-team debut before leaving Leeds on Deadline Day. The 22-year-old came close with occasional seats on the bench, but did not take the next step.
He is now plying his trade in the National League after failing to prove himself at Bradford last season. The defender made just 11 appearances on loan with the League Two side.
Hosannah now warns those at Leeds that Bielsa has no time for sentimentality. As one thing he learned from the Argentine is that chances only come if you can make an impact.
“One thing the gaffer there has proved is he’s not going to just give games for the sake of giving games,” Hosannah said.
“If he’s going to play someone, it’s because he thinks they’re going to improve the team or because someone’s out injured, and he thinks they’re the best option.
“What I learnt is you don’t really get, there’s a phrase called pity minutes. Where because you’ve been close to it for so long, you’re rewarded with minutes.
“You have to earn those minutes. There are some players this season who have got a good chance.”
Bielsa has proven Hosannah claim right at Leeds
Charlie Cresswell is the latest prospect Bielsa has plucked off the Leeds production line after making his Premier League debut. A chance against West Ham appeared for the 19-year-old as the Whites dealt with an injury crisis in central defence.
The teenager stood up to the challenge with a highly impressive performance against Michail Antonio. Rarely putting a foot wrong and refused to be outmuscled by the 31-year-old, who has scored five in five games.
It will have felt even sweeter for Cresswell to know he earned his chance as Bielsa backed him to deliver. Thus giving him the confidence to deliver, rather than be there to make up the numbers. Like Hosannah says, chances at Leeds come under Bielsa if they are earned.
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