‘I would like to be managed by Bielsa’ – £20m-rated player speaks out amid reported Leeds hunt
Velez Sarsfield attacker Thiago Almada has confirmed that he would be interested in joining Leeds United so that he can be managed by Marcelo Bielsa.
Earlier this week, Chilean news outlet Al Aire Libre reported that Almada, 19, was one of a number of Argentine players on Leeds’ radar after their promotion to the Premier League was confirmed.
Almada has now been asked to discuss the speculation linking him with Elland Road and in TyC Sports’ headline, the attacker is quoted as saying: “I would like to be managed by Bielsa.”
The Argentina Under-20 international added: “I don’t watch much soccer, but I saw some Leeds matches that appeared to me and I saw something similar to what we did in Vélez with [former manager Gabriel] Heinze.”
Almada might not be someone who Leeds fans have heard a lot about but the attacking midfielder, who can play on both wings, is someone who is dubbed to have a lot potential.
He has been likened to Manchester City hero David Silva [Daily Mail] while Fichajes has also reported that the 19-year-old is wanted by Manchester United and has a £20million release clause in his contract at Velez.
Almada has made 25 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring five goals and supplying two assists in the process.
He’ll need to up his assist stats if he wants to come close to Man City’s Silva but the fact he’s only 19 means he could be a work in progress for Leeds – if Leeds sign him.
The season hasn’t even finished yet and Leeds have only known what league they are playing in next term for a few days.
We doubt any transfer shortlists have been finalised just yet but we would very much approve if Almada makes the cut for Victor Orta and Bielsa.
In other Leeds United news, Adrian Durham has suggested a move to Leeds for this big-money Manchester City player.