Phil Hay suggests Diego Llorente should have played in midfield v Arsenal
Phil Hay has suggested that Leeds United defender Diego Llorente could have been used in midfield against Arsenal.
The Whites suffered a 2-0 defeat against the Gunners in the Carabao Cup clash on Tuesday night at the Emirates.
Calum Chambers and Eddie Nketiah scored in the second half to help Arsenal move into the next round of the competition.
Llorente was taken off in the second half, with skipper Liam Cooper replacing him. The Spaniard was brilliant during the game, but Marcelo Bielsa wanted to protect him from injuries.
Adam Forshaw also looked good in the first half, but he too was taken off. Mateusz Klich came on to replace him. Bielsa thought that the Polish international would make more attacking contributions, but as it turned out, the decision backfired.
A fan suggested to Phil Hay on Twitter that Llorente has a genuine ability to play in midfield. Hay replied: “I thought that in the first half. Picked out some great balls.”
Lightweight midfield
It seems the decision to not sign a central midfielder during the summer wasn’t a smart one.
Kalvin Phillips returned to action after his injury lay-off, and the England international looked rusty.
Forshaw can be a good option, but his fitness is a massive concern. Jamie Shackleton is another option for Bielsa, but he is yet to cement his place in the first team.
Klich is really struggling at the moment, and many fans suggest that he shouldn’t be anywhere near the first team at the moment.
Llorente has got a brilliant range of passing and he can be used in midfield if needed. When the likes of Luke Ayling and Robin Koch will return, Bielsa should consider the option of using the Spaniard in midfield.
Given his exceptional passing range and natural defensive abilities, he probably won’t disappoint.
Meanwhile, Leeds will face Norwich City in their next Premier League clash on Sunday, and it’s a must-win game for the Whites.
In other Leeds United news, Adrian Durham has urged Marcelo Bielsa to make a big decision after this ‘astonishing’ development last week.