Phil Hay names preferred Leeds United XI
Phil Hay has named his favourite Leeds United starting XI ahead of the Aston Villa Premier League clash on Wednesday night (February 9).
Patrick Bamford, who has been missing in action since December, is named in his eleven.
He has also gone for Stuart Dallas over summer signing and former Barcelona left-back Junior Firpo.
Writing on Athletic’s Q&A, Hay said, “Good question. I think I’d go – Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Dallas; Phillips; Raphinha, Forshaw, Klich, Harrison; Bamford.
“Some difficult calls there. I’d be more and more tempted to get Struijk in at central defence regularly, even though I don’t think Cooper has had a bad season.
“I’ve liked some of what I’ve seen of Firpo but Dallas might be a safer pair of hands until Firpo gets fully up to speed.
“Klich has shown little glimpses of his old form recently and he and Forshaw look like the sort of pairing which can work for Bielsa, both in attack and defensively (although I’m sorely tempted to get Gelhardt in there).”
Sounds good
Bamford and Kalvin Phillips are nailed on starters despite their injury woes. When fit, Bielsa has to play them.
The same can be said about Raphinha who’s now his first name on the team sheet.
Playing Dallas over Firpo is a bold call given how the latter is an out and out left-back.
However, Dallas has proven time and again that he can shine playing as a full-back and if Bielsa wants him to do that then we’re sure that he would.
Hopefully, the Whites return to winning ways and take advantage of the fact that Steven Gerrard is still getting used to his Aston Villa side later today (Februrary 9).
In other Leeds United news, it is confirmed that the Whites made a ‘Strong offer’ to sign an ‘Exceptional’ Ligue 1 attacker with 10 G+A in 21/22