Bielsa sends strong hint as to who will replace star man as Leeds attacker ruled out v Man City
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has delivered a team update ahead of the Premier League clash with giants Man City on Saturday.
And it looks like Gjanni Alioski could be set to start for the first time in the Premier League, with loanee Jack Harrison ruled out of the game against his parent club.
Bielsa got everyone licking their lips for the televised clash when he promised that Leeds would “play the way we always do. Wouldn’t know how to do it any other way.”
Marcelo Bielsa (as quoted by Leeds Live) was talking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the massive game against Man City at Elland Road on Saturday.
Pablo Hernandez had already been ruled out of the game through injury and Jack Harrison is ineligible to play as he’s currently on loan from Man City.
That’s a big blow for Leeds as Harrison has been in the form of his career in the Premier League, scoring in the opening game against Liverpool and setting up the winner for Patrick Bamford in the 1-0 win against Sheffield United.
Bielsa hinted strongly that Alioski would be the player to come in and replace the attacker.
Bielsa said, “Harrison is very important. Alioski is able to do as well or better than Harrison.”
The good news for Leeds is that there are no fresh injuries to deal with.
Bielsa has other options.
Rodrigo could come in and play out wide or Ian Poveda – a former Man City player – could play on the left.
However, Alioski has been the man to replace Harrison before and it looks like he’ll be starting on Saturday.
He offers more defensively than Poveda and Rodrigo, and that could be a wise move as Leeds prepare to face a Man City side out for blood after being humbled 5-2 by Leicester on Monday.
The game kicks off at 5.30pm and is being shown live on Sky Sports.
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