Marcelo Bielsa is an individual who is not fond of rotations and likes to stick with his starting XI and demands full trust in his players.
Seven players have already started eight matches for Leeds this campaign with Jack Harrison playing just one game shy of this while Kalvin Phillips would have been included in that number if not for his injury.
It is a trend that has continued from last season, when nine players started more than 35 league games. As highlighted by LeedsLive, Ben White played in all 46 games, while Patrick Bamford, Stuart Dallas, Mateusz Klich and Harrison all made over 40 starts - notable numbers.
With this in mind, any unforced changes to the matchday squad are worthy of note and there was a notable change on the bench for Saturday’s loss at Crystal Palace.
Pablo Hernandez was not included in the squad with 18-year-old Jack Jenkins named on the substitute’s bench. Bielsa was quizzed on his decision in his post-match press conference, with Hernandez’s absence a major shock.
Bielsa, as quoted by LeedsLive, said: “I evaluate all the players for the upcoming game and I didn't pick him for this game. The decision may seem strange but I chose the 18 players who I feel are most apt for the game.”
When pressed on the issue with Jenkins and Hernandez, he added: “I didn't pick Jenkins in the place of Pablo. And the response to your question I have already given. I reiterate; I pick the 18 players who I believe are in the best conditions for the upcoming game. You can qualify my decision as a wrong one, given the arguments that you have given.”
Many Leeds fans will be unfamiliar with Jenkins, so what is his background and what sort of player is he?
The teenager has come through the club’s academy and established himself as a regular in the Under-23 side, for whom he has scored twice in seven appearances this campaign. It is an impressive side packed full of promising players and they sit second in Premier League 2, Division 2 this campaign.
As described by LeedsLive, Jenkins is an understated player but has blossomed into one of the most important players in the side this injury and has excelled in the number eight role - traditionally a box-to-box style, energetic midfielder. He has already displayed a lot of maturity this season in terms of his tactical understanding and discipline, qualities which no doubt appeal to Bielsa and helped his promotion to the first-team squad.
A right-footed midfielder, his chance has come due to the injury to Kalvin Phillips and in a move to freshen up the matchday squad. Indeed, it was ironic that Crystal Palace were the opponents and 4-1 was the scoreline as Jenkins played a starring role in a victory by that scoreline against Palace’s Under-23 side earlier this month.
As highlighted by The Boot Room, Leeds fans raved about the performance of Jenkins in that encounter with several highlighting how he was controlling the tempo of the game and was hugely impressive.
Bielsa takes an active interest in all aspects of the club beyond the first-team and will be aware of which players in the youth sides have the potential to make the step up. It surely won’t be long until Jenkins makes his first-team debut on a possible path to stardom at Elland Road.
