David Woods

Sat 8 February 2020 12:30, UK

Phil Hay has said that a “Bielsa-fit” Aleksandar Mitrovic would be “100% tailor-made” for Leeds United.

There’s been a lot of talk of strikers around Leeds for the past few months.

First, it was whether Eddie Nketiah would stay or not. He was recalled by Arsenal as soon as the January window opened.

Then it was who Leeds would sign – it ended up being Jean-Kevin Augustin.

Now it’s when Augustin will play after arriving without having played much football this season amid ongoing criticism of Patrick Bamford.

Marcelo Bielsa has left him out of the last two matchday squads and hinted he wouldn’t use him in the game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday either.

On the latest episode of the Phil Hay Show, the Athletic journalist made the point that it was important for any striker to fit within the system of the team he played for.

“Somebody like Mitrovic would be 100% tailor-made for this Bielsa team, in Bielsa shape and Bielsa condition,” Hay said.

“Hence why he costs as much as he does and hence why Fulham threw so much cash at it.

“You have to be careful not to denigrate Bamford too much… Would [Dwight] Gayle have got in ahead of Pukki last season? Would Chris Wilder have taken Pukki over Billy Sharp?

“In a lot of ways, they were players that fit the particular team, but I see why the questions are being asked.”

Mitrovic is the top-scorer in the Championship with 19 goals.

And you can see why Hay has said he’d be perfect for Leeds. He’s a big, burly player who holds the ball up better than almost any other forward.

He’s also a natural goal-scorer who’s proved that in the Championship this season and for Serbia on the international stage.

He’s got an incredible record of 34 goals in 55 games for his country and you have to think that Leeds would be romping home this season if Mitrovic was a Leeds player.

In other Leeds United news, ‘Have the three points Leeds’, ‘Horrible news’ – These Nottingham Forest fans fume at Fri update