Reliable journo says who is likely to replace Hernandez for Leeds clash v Cardiff (not Roberts)
Ezgjan Alioski is likely to replace Pablo Hernandez in Marcelo Bielsa’s starting line-up for Leeds United versus Cardiff City on Sunday, according to Phil Hay.
Many have expected Tyler Roberts to come into the midfield as a straight swap for the injured Spaniard, who is set to return to training in time to play Fulham next week.
However, The Athletic journalist Hay has reported that Alioski might come in for Hernandez, with Dallas moving into the vacant central midfield spot and Alioski starting at left-back.
“I think everyone is expecting Roberts but Dallas into midfield seems every bit as likely to me, going on Bielsa’s past form,” said Hay in a live Q&A session on The Athletic website.
“He likes Dallas there (even though I think he plays far better elsewhere) and Alioski drops easily into left-back. It’s unfortunate about Hernandez. He’s exactly who you want involved at this stage. But he should be fit for Fulham.”
Dallas has been magnificent for Leeds this season and is a definite contender to win the club’s player of the year award.
However we just cannot get behind the idea of him playing in the midfield and Alioski coming in at left-back.
We like both players but everything we’ve heard about Roberts in the build-up to this game is positive and it would make more sense to make a straight swap with Roberts and Hernandez rather than bringing Alioski in and shuffling things around.
Dallas is a better left-back than Alioski and Roberts is a better attacking midfielder than Dallas, who is at his best on the wing.
Bielsa should be trusted though and if that is what he decides to do then we’re all for it.
But fans are pretty excited about seeing Roberts due to how well he played before the Championship season was halted. He’s a great young talent and this is a big opportunity for him.
In other Leeds United news, Leeds fans have reacted to Adrian Durham’s tweet about Aston Villa.