Sleeping. Recovery. Just two of the marginal gains Ian Poveda puts his long-awaited Leeds United down to, five months after he arrived.
The 20-year-old was not signed up to replenish the ranks of Carlos Corberan’s under-23s. This was a bona fide first-team signing Marcelo Bielsa has waited to call upon.
There was the initial burst of matchday inclusions when he arrived, but they fizzled out and, with no injury to speak of, it became clear he was behind the likes of Jordan Stevens in the pecking order.
Jean-Kevin Augustin was supposed to be the new arrival benefiting most from football’s hiatus, but judging by Sunday’s debut, Poveda may have been the man to grasp the nettle tightest.
Nine-man benches were always going to improve the former Manchester City winger’s chances, but he was Bielsa’s go-to attacking option when they were chasing the match on Sunday.
It has been a long road, but Poveda puts it down to a multitude of small changes.
“I’ve had to change a lot of little things. Recovery is important because the demand’s so high. You have to recover properly,” he said.
“How you sleep. Everything. The minimal things are what’s going to make the impact, if that makes sense.
“Every day I just try and give 100 per cent. Ultimately, when you keep pushing that limit you’re just going to increase it, you’re just going to become better.
“That’s what’s happened. I’ve come into Leeds and I’m training. I feel fit and ready.”
He added: “I can only speak for myself and I feel like I’ve been just working hard during quarantine, giving it my all so I can make sure I’m back and at the level needed for the coach to trust me and give me my opportunity.
“I’ve just been keeping my head down and working hard.”
Poveda was far from a regular under Pep Guardiola at Etihad Stadium, largely featuring for their reserves with just the one senior appearance in the League Cup last term.
His contract was up in the summer and several clubs were chasing him in January, from across Spain, Italy, Germany and England.
The former Brentford youth did not come to Elland Road for more under-23s football. Some may have been surprised to wait so long. Not Poveda.
“I’m not surprised at all,” he said. “I have complete faith in my manager. It’s his decision over the player’s and who he decides to put on.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity. That’s all I can say. He thought the other day was the right time for me to play, that’s what he thought was best.
“That’s why he’s the manager and I’m not. I’m just going to listen to him and execute what he wants and do my best.”
Poveda said he has not found the wait frustrating either.
“I feel like I’ve embraced it, certainly,” he said. “Everything that comes my way, I take it as a lesson. I’m always trying to learn every day.
“Coming to Leeds, I feel like I’ve already improved so much. It’s my first time playing, but even in training I’m improving.
“I’m grateful for that. That’s what I cam here to do, to improve as a player and to help the team win promotion.”
