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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Leeds United midfielder Mateusz Klich quickly became a key part of the side under Marcelo Bielsa following a tough start to his Elland Road career – playing every one of their Championship matches in 2018/19 – but now the Whites manager can ensure he doesn’t suffer from burnout.
On the chalkboard
It wouldn’t have been a surprise to see the Poland international leave the club last summer having been shipped out on loan to FC Twente after struggling to break into the starting XI under Thomas Christiansen.
However, the 29-year-old quickly became a regular in the starting XI following Bielsa’s appointment, and was the only Leeds player to be ever-present in all of their 48 league games last term.
While the midfielder started and ended the campaign brightly, however he did suffer from a massive dip in form in the middle – only two of his 10 league goals came between October 20 and March 12 – as fatigue appeared to set in.
Klich admitted via The Yorkshire Evening Post in September that he was “exhausted” and “so tired” following their 2018 pre-season exertions, and many Leeds supporters on Twitter commented on how drained he often looked in 2019.
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No repeat next season
Bielsa probably felt as though he had to helplessly sit back and carry on picking the Pole, as he had few other options to effectively fill that same role as the side aimed for promotion.
Adam Forshaw probably suited a more defensive role than the ‘No.8’ position Klich usually took up, while someone like Tyler Roberts was probably too attacking seeing as he had already moved back from a striker role to being more of a No.10.
However, things could be different next term considering the signings the club has made on the flanks, as well as the continued emergence of a couple of youngsters.
The addition of Helder Costa and the return of Jack Harrison and Jack Clarke mean that the Whites have plenty of quality and depth out wide, and that could easily see Pablo Hernandez move into more of a central position.
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The experienced Spaniard is certainly someone who could fill the void left by Klich, while youngsters Mateusz Bogusz – who scored a stunning goal and received a 7/10 rating from the Yorkshire Evening Post for his performance against the Western Sydney Wanderers – and 2018/19 breakthrough talent Jamie Shackleton continue to impress.
Bielsa may need his Poland international more often than not, but if he does suffer a lack of form he no longer has to simply persist with him.
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