Javier Mascherano hails key Leeds talent on Twitter after ‘very important’ win v Stoke
Javier Mascherano has singled out Pablo Hernandez for praise after Leeds United beat Stoke City 5-0 on Thursday evening.
The Whites steamed past the Potters with a commanding display that took them one step closer to a fabled promotion back to the Premier League.
Hernandez started the match on the bench, but stepped up to the plate with a second half display that saw him hit the back of the net and assist another strike.
And former Barcelona and Liverpool star Mascherano was clearly blown away by what he saw from the 35-year-old Spaniard.
Writing on his personal Twitter account in Spanish during the match, Mascherano said: “Great goal by Pablo Hernandez.
“Very important victory to send a message to your pursuers!!!”
Mascherano’s comments are a reflection of the status that Bielsa has brought back to Leeds United.
It’s impossible to imagine a star of Mascherano’s quality tweeting about the Whites this time a couple of years ago.
But El Loco has drawn everybody’s attention to Elland Road, and it’s superb to witness.
As for Hernandez himself, what can you say about the little magician that hasn’t already been said?
He is a wizard, and one who was at the peak of his powers on Thursday night.
The playmaker recorded a goal, an assist, a second assist, and three key passes as he ran amok – and his constant interplay made him a nightmare for Stoke defenders.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen him step up to the plate like this since the restart, but it’s telling that his Whoscored match rating was in his top five performances this season.
If we do secure promotion in the coming weeks, we will have so many reasons to be thankful for Hernandez.
In other Leeds United news, Adrian Durham was staggered by what happened in Leeds’ win against Stoke.