Marcelo Bielsa highlights Diego Llorente form as a season high point

Marcelo Bielsa has stated that Leeds United summer signing Diego Llorente has 'had no bad games' since joining the club from Real Sociedad.

The Spain international has endured a series of injuries since his transfer to Leeds but has found a level of consistency of late, which hasn't gone unnoticed by the manager.

After playing less than 100 minutes in his first five months for the Whites, Llorente has now played 630 in the last six-and-a-half weeks.

Speaking about the player's impact on the side, Bielsa said, as quoted by The Yorkshire Evening Post, "He has played well, he hasn't had any bad games. He's had a performance level that has improved every single time we have played.

"He started playing well and from there onwards, he's been playing better.

"And him as well as Koch, in the first part of the season, they have been high points of our season."

Can't wait for next season

Llorente joined in the summer £18m with plenty of fanfare, but his first season has not turned out to be the way he thought he would.

He had an injury-laden season previously in 2018/19 when he missed 15 games through injury, and this campaign has been equally bad for the 27-year-old.

However, when fit he's been a delight to watch, and undoubtedly one of our best players of the season.

Even captain Liam Cooper was full of praise when he was asked about Llorente on BBC Radio Leeds.

"Diego’s come in and done unbelievable," he said. "He’s very quick, he’s very decent on the ball and we all try and improve our ball game.

"He’s a really good player and I’m enjoying playing alongside him."

If all things go as per plan, Llorente will be one of our first-choice centre-backs next season.

This term we've conceded so many goals because we've had to keep changing our centre-backs due to injuries and suspensions.

Next season, with everyone available, this Leeds side will not just be better going forward, but will also be more organised at the back - both equally important things if we are to push for European places.

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