‘A few people say he’s fat’ – Graham Smyth explains why U23 outing was unflattering for Augustin
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth has refuted claims from some Leeds United fans that Jean-Kevin Augustin is carrying extra weight saying, “he’s absolutely not fat”.
The claims came after Augustin’s first outing in a Leeds shirt, for the Under-23s on Monday, and Smyth claims it was a “baggy shirt” that led to the unflattering remarks from fans.
The live stream was hit by thousands of Leeds fans all desperate to get their first glimpse of the new striker but not everyone was impressed with what they saw.
It’s led to worries that it could be some time before we see Augustin play for the first team, but Smyth had an explanation for the ‘extra ballast’.
Talking on the latest episode of the Inside Elland Road podcast Smyth said, “I’ve seen a few people say he’s fat and he’s absolutely not fat.
“He wasn’t helped by a slightly baggy shirt, I’ll give him that.
“Match sharpness seems the thing doesn’t it? He was making lots of runs, looking to hold the ball up, laying it off. He’s only completed 90 mins three times for Monaco so it will take him time to get up to Bielsa fitness.
“He looked okay in flashes and occasionally looked like he was overplaying it to try and impress. I think that was more to do with that he knew it was being recorded and that Beisla would be watching it 20 times over the next few days.”
You’re not going to find many players fit enough to come in and move straight into Bielsa’s first team.
His training sessions are infamous and Augustin was spotted on his own doing laps and laps of the running track Bielsa has had installed at Thorp Arch when he first arrived.
Smyth is right though. ‘Big Kev’, as he’s been christened by the Leeds fans, is not fat but he is a powerful, stocky player.
He’s had almost a full week of training since the Under-23s game on Monday and that should be enough to see him on the bench for the first time on Saturday.
We hope so – Leeds need a lift and Augustin could be the man to provide it.
In other Leeds United news, Leeds chief explains why club didn’t sign Jarrod Bowen in January despite reported £15m bid