MOT View: Bielsa to give 19y/o debut, just two U23s make cut – Best possible Leeds XI v Crawley
It’s FA Cup weekend and Leeds United face a potential banana skin in front of the TV cameras when they travel to Crawley on Sunday.
There’s a debate raging between Leeds fans about what sort of team Marcelo Bielsa should put out.
Some think that he should pack the starting XI with Under-23s such as Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood.
We’d be excited to see the best of the Under-23s make their debuts on Sunday.
However, some fans think there’s a real chance of competing in the FA Cup and that Bielsa should put out the strongest possible side.
We can understand this, too. Leeds have caused problems for the biggest sides this season and could potentially beat anyone in the cup, especially if they put out slightly weaker sides.
However, some first-team players obviously need a rest. Mateusz Klich has looked out on his feet in recent games and fixtures are coming thick and fast after the FA Cup game.
With both camps in mind, this is the strongest starting XI that Bielsa can put out without jeopardising the Premier League.
Patrick Bamford can start up top, with Ian Poveda, Helder Costa, Pablo Hernandez and Jamie Shackleton in behind. These four haven’t had regular minutes and will be fresh.
Kalvin Phillips can play because he’ll rest for the Brighton game after picking up five yellow cards.
Pascal Struijk and Diego Llorente can play in the centre at the back. Bielsa wanted Llorente to play in Under-23s games before he’s introduced back into the Premier League, but this is the perfect game to ease him back in.
19-yer-old Cody Drameh can get his debut at right-back, while Leif Davis can start on the left, giving Stuart Dallas and Gjanni Alioski a rest.
Kiko Casilla is almost a shoo-in to start in goal.
The good thing about this side is that it can build up a lead big enough for Bielsa to blood more Leeds Under-23s in the second half – a win/win.
It means just two Under-23s starting on Sunday but it also shows the depth in the Leeds squad.
Here’s the best side that Bielsa can safely put out on Sunday…
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