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Leeds United attacking midfielder Samu Saiz looks to be closing in on a return to Spain after undergoing a medical with La Liga outfit Getafe on Monday, and Marcelo Bielsa will already be thinking about who can replace the 27-year-old in the long term.
On the chalkboard
The Argentine manager has favoured a 4-1-4-1 system this season and despite the imminent departure of Saiz, it seems likely that he will stick with that formation going forward.
While the Spaniard has not been a regular in the starting XI in recent months with the likes of Mateusz Klich and Adam Forshaw preferred in the central roles and above him in the pecking order, the Yorkshire outfit don’t have a great deal of depth in that position.
Chelsea loanee Lewis Baker has failed to make an impact and once again disappointed on a rare start in the win against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, and Izzy Brown picked up an injury for the U23s on Monday.
What’s the answer?
Either to make a new signing in the New Year or use a player he already has in his squad in a similar role.
It remains to be seen whether Bielsa has been playing mind games with regards to his January transfer plans after hinting that he isn’t keen to do any business, but if he isn’t then the latter will be his best option.
Patrick Bamford returned to action with the winning goal against Bolton on Saturday, and given he and Kemar Roofe are battling it out for the lone centre-forward role, the 63-year-old manager should look to utilise the former’s creative ability and the fact that he has played behind the striker previously going forward to ensure either player doesn’t get frustrated by not being in the starting XI regularly.
