Phil Hay suggests Leeds ace is not ‘hitting the high notes’ in training after Boro absence
Phil Hay has suggested that Leeds United winger Ian Poveda might not be hitting the high notes in training after the January signing was once again absent from the matchday squad against Middlesbrough.
The Athletic journalist revealed that he is classed as one for the future at Elland Road, but that the Whites did believe he could make an immediate impact in the Championship.
Jordan Stevens was once again favoured by Marcelo Bielsa at the Riverside Stadium in the 1-0 victory, with Jamie Shackleton the only substitute used during the game.
Hay claimed that Poveda might not be performing to a level in training that would persuade Bielsa to utilise him over the likes of Stevens in games.
“It’s odd to see him behind Stevens given that he made the squad straight after he joined,” he wrote to a fan in an Athletic Q&A.
“The only conclusion you can draw is that he’s not hitting the high notes in training, or not enough for Bielsa to feel that he can’t leave him out. He’s one for the future but Leeds did think he could make a pretty immediate first-team impact.”
Poveda has been demoted into the under-23s in the past month, and has started the last couple of matches under Carlos Corberan.
The under-23’s recent clash with Nottingham Forest on Monday was postponed, so Poveda would have been fully rested ahead of the game against Boro on Wednesday.
That didn’t change a thing, with Stevens still taking his spot in the squad. Bielsa has commented on the former Forest Green man before, and that suggested that it would take much more than what Poveda is doing to replace him.
Given that Bielsa was certain the 20-year-old could make an immediate impact at the club, it seems strange that he hasn’t been featuring – something that would cement Hay’s claim.
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