Robin Koch available to play: Marcelo Bielsa confirms Leeds United team news v Arsenal
Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed that Robin Koch is ready to make his long-anticipated return for Leeds United this weekend.
Leeds play Arsenal at Elland Road on Saturday and ahead of that match, Bielsa has told the media that the German centre-back is available.
As quoted by LeedsLive on Thursday, Bielsa said: ” Koch is available.”
Koch, 25, hasn’t played since the opening day defeat to Manchester United in August due to a pelvis injury, followed by illness.
additions a must
Bielsa has always liked working with a small squad and we totally understand why that is the case.
Up until recently, we’ve managed to get by with a small squad as we reached the Championship play-offs, won the Championship title and finished ninth in the Premier League in his first three seasons at Elland Road.
However, Leeds are now in danger of being relegated or at least being sucked into the fight to avoid the drop to the second-tier.
Bielsa has two options. He either doubles down on his philosophy and gets through January without making any signings or maybe just bringing in one new player. Or he and Victor Orta go out there and add players in the positions where Leeds clearly lack depth.
We could write a long list of signings that need to be made.
Leeds need an experienced back-up goalkeeper for Illan Meslier with the French youngster not doing as well since Kiko Casilla left. We could also do with back-up left-back and right-backs – maybe one player who can fill both roles will do. There’s an obvious need for reinforcements in the middle and signing a proper striker to serve as back-up for Patrick Bamford is also needed.
Leeds signed Daniel James in a deal worth up to £30million in August when signing a new winger wasn’t entirely needed when Helder Costa was still on the books at Elland Road.
With the 49ers investing more money into the club, surely Leeds will have a big January if Bielsa agrees to it.
In other Leeds United news, Peter Crouch was wowed by this one Leeds player in the 7-0 loss at Man City.