Marcelo Bielsa has challenged Jack Harrison to produce his undoubted quality on a more consistent basis for Leeds United this season.
The on-loan Manchester City winger re-signed for the Whites this summer after a productive debut season at Elland Road.
Despite being a mainstay on the left-hand-side of Leeds’ attack, a criticism levelled at the 22-year-old was a lack of consistency in his performances.
However, Harrison produced some of his best displays towards the end of last season and has continued his fine form in pre-season.
With competition for places fierce, with the likes of Helder Costa, Ezgjan Alioski and Jack Clarke all vying for a spot in the wide areas, Bielsa has challenged Harrison to show his quality more regularly this season.
Speaking ahead of Leeds’ opening day fixture against Bristol City, he said: “For me, last season was a season to grow and this is the season that he has to show this experience.
“Obviously these last two months he’s done a very good job, so the expectations he creates, the first is him, he has to be concrete during matches.”
Last season Bielsa put a lot of faith in the club’s Under-23s in order to fill out his squad when injuries struck.
From that, Clarke and Jamie Shackleton established themselves as first-team regulars.
Mateusz Bogusz, as well as several other players from the Thorp Arch crop have impressed during pre-season and Bielsa is determined to continue putting his faith in youth.
“Always during the season, last season it was Clarke and Jamie,” he said.
“They are more close to being part of our team and I hope at the end of the season I'm sure that there will be two players more to have the same role that Clarke and Shackleton have now.”
United take on Bristol City on Sunday without the services of Luke Ayling, Tyler Roberts and Kemar Roofe through injury.
Gaetano Berardi is also suspended, meaning Ben White is likely to make his debut alongside Liam Cooper at the heart of the defence.
