What Bielsa said to Poveda just before he unleashed him for Leeds debut v Cardiff
Ian Poveda finally made his Leeds United debut on Sunday and while he couldn’t turn the game, Leeds fans will have been delighted to see him.
Poveda looked bright as well – one of the few highlights of a very disappointing game as Leeds slumped to a 2-0 defeat.
Poveda conducted his first major interview with the media on Monday night and he revealed what Marcelo Bielsa said to him before he unleashed what some fans see as his secret weapon in the run-in.
“He spoke to me briefly before I went on,” Poveda said.
“He told me to go out and showcase my ability. He wanted me to get on the ball, do movements in behind, receive the ball at my feet and get at players, and yeah he told me to go out and play basically.”
Poveda – a force for good
Two good things came out of Poveda’s debut on Sunday.
First, he looked really good. And it seems that Bielsa’s message got through as he took the ball at his feet, tried to take players on, but was never greedy.
Second, it puts to rest the rumours that something was up with his attitude after he was dropped from the squad for the previous seven games.
Poveda talked really eloquently about how hard he’s worked through lockdown and that he’s kept his head down.
That’s been rewarded and we’re really hoping we see much more of Poveda as the season goes on.
He won’t start on Sunday against Fulham unless something dramatic happens between now and Saturday, but he could well come on and make an impact from the bench.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Hell of a signing’, QSI trying to get him – Many Leeds fans react to ‘incredible’ transfer link