Leeds United. Unbeaten in five. Five wins from five. Five clean sheets. One point title lead. Seven point cushion.
It’s fair to suggest that things are going swimmingly well over at Elland Road as we enter the final nine games of the Championship season.
Marcelo Bielsa has stuck to his guns all year and it’s finally reaping the rewards after a tough festive period had shouts of burnout 2.0.
One downside of that is the fact that his fringe players rarely see the light of day and as such neither January addition has managed to start a game for the Whites yet.
However, that hasn’t stopped Ian Poveda from trying to buck the trend as he scored a fine goal on Monday night for the U23 squad, leading to calls from fans wanting him involved in the first-team setup.
Our writers have given their verdicts on the 20-year-old potentially earning a promotion to the senior fold below, read on…
Billy Meyers
“While promotion is far from a certainty given Leeds’ tendency to mess things up – see last season, for example – now is as good a time as any for Bielsa to hand Poveda some game time at Elland Road. The Yorkshire-based outfit sit top of the Championship and are seven points clear of third-place Fulham, so the former Marseille boss can afford to be slightly experimental.
“Of course, the Argentine is a stubborn operator, but even he must see the benefits of giving the January signing some action. He has impressed in the U23 ranks, netting a goal on Monday, and Bielsa would be taking a huge risk in more than one aspect if he doesn’t hand the former Barcelona academy man some game time in the final nine games.
“If the Leeds boss doesn’t play Poveda, he risks going into the Premier League with a 20-year-old who hasn’t had any chance to learn his trade in the senior game, and the pressure will only mount on Bielsa to play the forward in England’s top-flight – where, we presume, he will be less interested in taking risks given what’s at stake.”
Kealan Hughes
“The old cliche says to never change a winning team, and considering Leeds have won five on the bounce without conceding suggests that Marcelo Bielsa has got everything right, so there is no need for Ian Poveda to come into the team.
“He seems to be a like-for-like replacement for Jack Clarke. Both are young wingers with a lot of pace and raw talent, and Bielsa clearly feels he can’t trust that type of player yet since Clarke made just three appearances before his loan ended.
“However, in playing for the under 23s Poveda has already proved that he can provide that spark, and he could be a secret weapon to come on in games where the Whites are searching for a winner, and I’d be surprised if he does have an impact before the season ends.”
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Charles Jones
“I think that Marcelo Bielsa would be foolish to change anything at this point in the season. Leeds have won each of their last five games keeping a clean sheet in every single one of them, and you should never change a winning formula, especially when the finish line in terms of promotion is in sight.
“Poveda is just 20 years old, and he’s signed until 2024, so there’s no real need to rush him into the team for the sake of it.
“The winger will have to be patient, and I don’t think he’ll mind if it means a shot at Premier League football next season.”
Lewis Blain
“It’s the biggest problem at Leeds, aside from Patrick Bamford’s wastefulness in front of goal – just when does Marcelo Bielsa buck the trend and change things up from the ‘norm.’
“This is something that could certainly change if Ian Poveda continues to set alight the U23 squad having bagged on Monday night which quite frankly epitomised ‘Bielsaball’.
“If Leeds find themselves in an injury crisis with only nine games to spare, then the likes of the young 20-year-old will need to be called upon, so it may be wise to stick him on the bench and give him a few cameo opportunities. It’ll only benefit the greater cause and in addition, hand them a glimpse into his qualities ahead of the new season.
“While it would be a big risk, it’ll be one that’s worth taking.”
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