Here is your Leeds morning digest for Thursday, November 5.
The midfield conundrum Marcelo Bielsa faces ahead of Crystal Palace
Leeds United writer Beren Cross has outlined the surprise selection Marcelo Bielsa sprang in Monday evening’s 4-1 defeat at home to Leicester City.
Pascal Struijk had been brought in for the sidelined Kalvin Phillips in the 3-0 victory over Aston Villa, playing in the holding role at the base of midfield, but was withdrawn early by the Argentinian after being shown an early booking.
Many expected the 21-year-old Dutchman to be given the nod once again when Leicester came to Elland Road, but his replacement at Villa Park, Jamie Shackleton, was picked with the ever-present Mateusz Klich adapting to a different, deeper role again.
But the experiment didn’t work against the Foxes, who ruthlessly exploited Leeds on the counter.
Bielsa may well consider bringing back Struijk to shield against a similar threat from Saturday’s opponents Crystal Palace, who boast the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend.
Leeds gaining new fans thanks to style of play under Marcelo Bielsa
United’s attacking, intense style of football under Marcelo Bielsa is seeing plenty of new admirers in front of a new, wider audience in the Premier League.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher is a noted admirer of Leeds this season, while Kalvin Phillips has addressed all the adulation that the team have received in the media.
“You know what, if you can’t beat us you’ve got to join us, haven’t you? That’s the thing,” he told the Leeds That podcast.
“A lot of teams, a lot of people are getting frustrated with their teams, aren’t they?
“When you look at us playing the free-flowing football we do and having the manager we do, the fan base we do, a lot of people turn their heads and think ‘I want to be involved in that now.’
“There will probably be a lot more Leeds fans, a lot more other fans joining with Leeds fans now.”
Here’s what he said in full .
Former Bielsa assistant coach provides insight into his methodology
Former assistant coach to Bielsa has spoken about what it’s like working with the Argentinian tactician .
Franck Passi worked with the Leeds manager during his previous two stints in Ligue 1.
The former Marseille, Monaco and Bolton midfielder spoke to Telefoot Chaine about who the “real” Bielsa is, with a complex reputation in France, having received praise for the work he did at Marseille before struggling at Lille, who sacked him a few months into his tenure as their manager.
“I think it’s a bit of both,” he said.
"Marcelo, what he did at Marseille and what he’s doing at Leeds, it’s very remarkable, but if there was that hiccup at Lille, where I spent time, there has to be some grey areas."
