Report reveals Bielsa’s big plans for Leeds man not seen since September
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa is planning to hand Whites midfielder Adam Forshaw a big role over the second half of the season, according to Football Insider.
The 28-year-old hasn’t been seen since putting in a 45 minute shift against Charlton Athletic in September, and hasn’t started a game since facing Swansea City on the last day of August.
He had been a regular starter over the opening month of the campaign, but has missed the last several months due to injury.
However, Football Insider’s report claims that Bielsa hasn’t forgotten the former Middlesbrough man – far from it.
The Argentine is said to have turned down the chance to add to his central midfield options in the January transfer window, perhaps with one eye on Forshaw’s return.
The Whites boss has been patient with Forshaw’s recovery, regarding the midfielder as pivotal to the style of football he has implemented at Elland Road.
Although he’s been out for five months, the medical staff in Yorkshire decided that he did not require surgery.
When he returns, Forshaw will likely compete with Stuart Dallas, Mateusz Klich, Jamie Shackleton and Tyler Roberts for the attacking midfield positions ahead of Kalvin Phillips.
The Leeds supporters will likely be just as excited for the dogged midfielder to return as Bielsa is, because he provides the team with so much.
He adds to their defensive capabilities with his work-rate and tenacity, while his passing ability is hugely valuable for the way in which Bielsa likes to play.
Prior to his injury Forshaw was averaging 51.4 passes a game, with a tremendous success rate of 89.7%. Plus, he averaged 3.1 long balls forward an outing. So he’s not just a square pass merchant. That’s not why his pass accuracy is so high – he’s just that good.
It seems that there’s still no exact return date for Forhsaw, none was offered in this report, but the noises coming from Elland Road have become encouraging.
In other Leeds United news, some of the club’s supporters have been raging about recent comments made by a White striker.