Craig Scott

Thu 9 December 2021 13:46, UK

Marcelo Bielsa seemed to get annoyed with repeated questions about his injured Leeds United players today [Thursday].

Speaking to the media ahead of Leeds’ clash against Chelsea on Saturday, Bielsa had to respond to concerns over a number of his players after a damning statement published by the club earlier in the day.

Kalvin Phillips is reportedly going to be out for two months [Telegraph] but Leeds didn’t confirm that themselves and Bielsa wouldn’t put a time on his recovery either.

When asked for the timescale of the injured players, Bielsa said, as quoted by LeedsLive: “The time they will be out for is subject to their evolution.”

He was then pressed for more information about Phillips, with one journalist asking whether he’ll be back in time for January.

Bielsa, seemingly annoyed with the repeated questioning, said: “I have already answered. It’s all subject to the evolution of their injury. I can’t express myself any further in that sense.”

Crisis

Just as we though that Leeds’ injury crisis was getting better, we’ve been hit with an absolute bombshell in the last week.

Leeds left it late to win a point against Brentford on Saturday – but at what cost?

Phillips, Cooper and Bamford all suffered injuries in that game and we’d have rather lost if it meant the three of them would stay fit.

After playing Chelsea this weekend, the Whites face the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal in their next four Premier League matches.

They would have been hard enough to win anyway but looking at their form, how we’re doing and how many of our key players are missing, it’ll be amazing if we get any points.

January cannot come soon enough but will a manager who tends to avoid winter business in Bielsa be willing to buck the trend and strengthen?

We’ll have to wait and see but we can see Victor Orta wanting to do that and Bielsa not.

In other Leeds United news, a British club has tabled a bid to sign a player who was bombed out of Elland Road by Bielsa.