Bielsa delivers Jan transfer update, talks Adams & slams Arsenal over recall of Eddie Nketiah
Marcelo Bielsa has slammed Arsenal over the recall of Eddie Nketiah in his pre-match press conference on Thursday (12.30pm, live in the LUFC app).
He also said that Che Adams was a player they were looking at and questioned whether he was playing regularly at Southampton. He said someone like Adams would take time to get up to speed at Leeds.
It’s an unusual step for Bielsa, who normally keeps his opinions about other clubs to himself.
“We did everything we promised so we have nothing to blame ourselves for [over Nketiah],” Bielsa said. He described the recall as being “unfair” on Leeds.
Talking about the January transfer window, Bielsa said, “We’re aware that we have to replace players.
“Victor Orta is working very hard to resolve this. The president supports the needs of the team. If we cannot resolve it, it is not going to be for a lack of effort or because someone is not engaged.”
That might not be the answer that Leeds fans are looking for but the Nketiah detail is fascinating.
Bielsa didn’t seem his normal self in the press conference – he seemed irritable and stressed.
The Nketiah comments could well highlight the pressure that he is under at the moment – and also how hard it is to find a replacement for him.
Asked if he was being offered players by Orta and whether he’d turned any down, he said that hadn’t happened because Orta knows “the type of players I am looking for”.
He said there were a lot of factors around bringing a player in in January, including how long it would take a new signing to adapt to the team.
Bielsa said they were working hard to “bring the right player into the team” but that he wouldn’t sign someone for the sake of it.
He said that no player doing well for his team would leave to join Leeds in January. He then discussed Adams, saying “He was one. Do you think he’s playing regularly? If he’s not playing regularly then he has to come here and adapt.”
However, there was no talk of any imminent deals.
In other Leeds United news: What Hasenhuttl has said to Soton board about Adams move; Phil Hay delivers fresh hope for Leeds