According to a report from The Sun on Sunday (21/10; page 61), Marcelo Bielsa was present to watch England’s under-20s beat Italy’s 2-1, with the Leeds coach said to have potential targets on his radar. This is not the first time Bielsa has gone to watch a game as not too long ago he was spotted in a Barnsley Vs Luton Town clash and many sources reported that the Whites manager was keeping track of Luton Town’s right back James Justin.
United fullback Tom Pearce played the full 90 minutes for the Three Lions and it could also be that Bielsa was keen to see him in action as left back is a spot which currently requires filling after an injury to the regular fullback Barry Douglas. However, it is has been reported that Bielsa was also keeping track of potential targets.
Bielsa is known to be obsessive about football so it could very well be that he was just there to watch and enjoy the game. But there might be some players that would have caught his eye, and we believe Arsenal’s Joe Willock could be one of them. The 19-year-old midfielder scored from the spot to give the Three Lions a win.
The 19-year-old has even scored for Arsenal this season in the Carabao Cup tie and his versatility to play anywhere across midfield could appeal to Bielsa. Traditionally a central midfielder, he has filled out at left and right midfield as well, and it’s his technique that allows him to be so fluid.
Bielsa comes from the school of total football where one of the prime theories is that players should be comfortable in playing at various positions. We have already seen the same this season at Elland Road as Bielsa has often deployed fullback as centre-backs (Gaetano Berardi), midfielders as a fullback (Stuart Dallas) and wingers as forwards (Kemar Roofe). So someone like Willock could be the guy that the former Chile manager was eyeing.
The 19-year-old has come up from the Gunners’ academy and is trying to make his name in the first team. His chances are going to be limited but Willock has been doing well for the reserves, and maybe the club could send him out on loan in January.
Leeds can be a good fit for the youngster as he will be able to hone his skills and abilities playing under someone like Bielsa. Willock could act as a cover for someone like Kalvin Phillips or Mateusz Klich, and his versatility could be used in various ways by Bielsa.
