BBC pundit makes worrying claim over fitness of struggling Leeds ace
Noel Whelan has made the worrying claim that Leeds United will not see the best out of Jean-Kevin Augustin this season.
The BBC pundit claimed that the Frenchman was the wrong signing for the Whites to make in January with other players miles ahead of him in terms of fitness.
Augustin is currently sidelined with a hamstring problem and has missed games against Middlesbrough, Hull and Huddersfield in the past couple of weeks.
Whelan admitted that Leeds won’t get to see much of their marquee signing, never mind him performing at his best in West Yorkshire.
“He’s never been fit since he came to Leeds so it doesn’t surprise me that he’s injured – I said it all along if you push him too hard,” he told Football Insider.
“He was the wrong signing at the time, he really was. He wasn’t going to contribute too much to us because the other players have gone through eight to ten weeks of pre-season.
“What will we see of him? He’ll have to start again because his match fitness is going to go back down again now he’s been injured for two or three weeks.
“We’re not going to see the best of him and I very much doubt he’s going to contribute that much, quite honestly.”
There is a real sense of frustration around the January business Leeds completed. Augustin is sidelined whereas Ian Poveda can only get a game with the under-23s.
It is worrying that Leeds could be forced to utilise a striker not at the top his game with the hot and cold nature of Patrick Bamford. The 26-year-old has been superb leading the line but often frustrates with his finishing touch.
Augustin could have been an option to take the pressure off the shoulders of Bamford, but fear not. Tyler Roberts proved himself in the 4-0 win at Hull and was utilised against Huddersfield.
The Frenchman may face a battle to get back into the matchday squad, so Leeds may hardly see Augustin between now and the end of the season – never mind at his best.
In other Leeds United news, Whites squad felt disrespected at outside comments as defender opens up on pundit criticism