Phil Hay delivers exciting update on Jean-Kevin Augustin – MOT View
Phil Hay has said that he expects Jean-Kevin Augustin to play more than Eddie Nketiah for Leeds United as he highlighted a key “difference” between the two players.
Hay said that unlike Nketiah, Bielsa has liked Augustin “for a long time”.
Augustin was brought in to replace the Arsenal striker after Nketiah was recalled to the Emirates over a lack of game time.
Nketiah only started two games in the Championship, despite Patrick Bamford going for long stretches without scoring.
After Augustin signed on Monday, Athletic journalist Phil Hay responded to a Leeds fan who asked, “In your opinion will JKA be used infrequently like Nketiah or will he get more game time?”
Hay said, “There is a difference. As much as he liked Nketiah, it wasn’t a player he was personally aware of (or had studied closely). Augustin he’s liked for a long time.”
When the fan came back and said, “That makes all the difference I suppose. Once MB trusts you, he trusts you. Much like what we’ve seen with Bamford”, Hay replied, “100%. And Klich, Phillip, Cooper, Dallas etc.”
It’s exciting news for the rest of the season and, in our opinion, Leeds have made a big upgrade on Nketiah.
Yes, Nketiah has talent and he’s already showed that on his return to Arsenal – he scored what turned out to be the winning goal for them in their FA Cup win over Bournemouth last night.
However, he didn’t fit into the Leeds system and it seemed like he was largely put onto the pitch as a last resort.
It sounds like Augustin could easily become the number one striker at Leeds.
According to Bild, Leeds have committed to a big-money deal for Augustin if they get promoted and obviously see the striker as a big part of the club’s future in the Premier League.
Patrick Bamford has enjoyed the trust of Bielsa so far this season but he’s got to be worried about losing his place if Augustin hits the ground running.
The 22-year-old has got an amazing CV and is potentially on a different level to Bamford if he can live up to his early promise.
In other Leeds United news, Jim White delivers instant verdict on Augustin; new Leeds striker sends Twitter message to fans