Marcelo Bielsa, the Leeds United head coach, believes the Whites may have seen a different side to former loanee Izzy Brown had they been able to have him for another year.
Brown was signed on a season-long loan from Premier League giants Chelsea in August 2018, but saw his time at Elland Road consist of just two appearances due to recovering from a serious cruciate ligament injury, which he had when he arrived at Leeds, and then a fresh hamstring problem.
This season, though, Brown has been given fresh hope, joining Luton Town on a season-long loan, and he has made a strong impression so far at Kenilworth Road. In 15 appearances for the Hatters, the 22-year-old has claimed six assists.
Ahead of his reunion with Brown on Saturday, Bielsa has expressed his delight for the attacker, insisting he is 'very happy' for him.
Bielsa, speaking to the press on Thursday lunchtime, said: "I am very happy for him because he is a player who was with us and had very good behaviour here. He is showing a level he didn't show with us. I consider this as a mistake (on my part).
"I am sure Luton could give him things I couldn't. In Luton, he is able to compete to play matches and we could not give him that.
"After, you can see this in a different way. If we could have achieved to have had him for one more year, maybe we could have got another version of him."
According to Bielsa, who will be looking to lead his side to a third successive victory on Saturday, a key reason for Brown's improvements this season is because that he is a good state of fitness.
"In Luton, he arrived healthy and recovered and when he did six months work, he couldn't work properly," added the Leeds boss.
"I do not want you to take out credit on the people who are with him now because other staff achieved to make the best of him."
Visit our dedicated Leeds United page for the latest news, views and analysis from Elland Road.
