‘Unbelievable talent’ – These Leeds fans hail player who solved big Bielsa problem on Saturday
When Marcelo Bielsa announce his starting XI for the game against Huddersfield on Saturday, there was one glaring omission for Leeds United.
Kalvin Phillips was still suffering from the dead leg he picked up in the win against Reading.
Gaetano Berardi came in for Phillips, with Marcelo Bielsa asking Ben White to play out of position again in defensive midfield.
That had a big impact on the game, especially in the first half when Leeds weren’t so fluid in attack, despite getting an early goal from Luke Ayling.
However, a win and another clean sheet was vindication that White did a brilliant job in a position that’s not his own.
And he did much better in the second half as Huddersfield seemed to tire and stop pressing so aggressively.
White has impressed massively this season – perhaps so much that it will be tough for Leeds to sign him on a permanent deal in the summer.
He’s made the most interceptions of any player in the Championship (86) and his versatility makes him an even more valuable player for Leeds with Adam Forshaw out after surgery.
After the game, Bielsa said that after playing 10-15 games in the midfield position he would be able to make as much of an impact there as he does at centre-back.
That’s for the summer, though – in the meantime, here are the best reactions to White’s latest display in midfield…
In other Leeds United news, EFL to meet today for talks that could have huge impact on Leeds promotion run-in