Bielsa responds when asked if Jean-Kevin Augustin will play again for Leeds this season
Jean-Kevin Augustin has been one of the most talked-about Leeds United players since his arrival in January – even though he has played just three times.
The 22-year-old forward arrived with a big reputation when he joined on loan from RB Leipzig ahead of a possible permanent move before next season.
However, the former PSG striker has suffered from injuries and fitness and a recent setback in his bid to play in Marcelo Bielsa’s first-team has led to speculation about him playing again for the Whites.
The Athletic’s Phil Hay has mooted the possibility that Augustin will be sent back to Leipzig on June 30 if he doesn’t meet Bielsa’s high fitness standards
On Thursday, Bielsa was asked in his pre-Fulham press conference whether or not Augustin will play again for Leeds and the Argentine refused to give much away.
“We are following what he’s doing and after we evaluate what he’s doing we take a decision,” Bielsa said, as quoted by LeedsLive.
Bielsa likes to keep his cards close to his chest but if Augustin is not going to be fit enough to play past the end of June, then what is the point of keeping him on until the season ends?
Augustin’s future at Elland Road is something that Leeds fans will need to keep a close eye on in the coming weeks and months.
It has been widely reported that the Whites have an obligation to buy the Frenchman if they win promotion to the Premier League but why would they want to do that if he has barely kicked a ball for them in six months?
It must be frustrating for Augustin because we have seen in images of him that he has worked very hard to slim down and get a lot more fitter than he was when he arrived in Yorkshire in January.
But football can be a cruel game sometimes and it might not work out for Augustin in Leeds, as much as well all want it to.
In other Leeds United news, United are eyeing this nine-goal forward who’s also wanted by Manchester City.