According to reports from the Athletic as cited by the Star, Leeds United have rejected several offers from European sides for their key playmaker Pablo Hernandez. The English transfer window might have come to an end, but clubs in Europe can still sign players. There cannot be any doubt that the Whites would be keen to hold on to their integral players in this phase of the transfer window.
It is no surprise that the Whites are not entertaining any offers for the Spanish player as a lot rests on his shoulder if the Yorkshire outfit wants to make it to the Premier League. One might say that he is already 34 and an offer for him might be worth considering, but there is no one more vital in the squad currently than Hernandez.
The fact that European window is still open is slightly unfair for the English clubs and rumours regarding Hernandez’s future might keep on emerging until it is finally shut on September second. There is more onus on Hernandez after the departure of Samuel Saiz and Kemar Roofe.
Why is he crucial for Bielsa?
The former Valencia player usually starts on the right-wing, but he often drifts inside and occupies central areas to affect play. He doesn’t have the pace anymore to run the opposition fullback ragged, so we often see him come inside instead of stretching play. The job of providing width is usually left to the right-sided fullback.
Hernandez’s impressive on the ball qualities and footballing IQ makes him a standout option. He sees and reads the game like no other, and his link-up play and neat little flicks are always eye-catching to watch. Surprisingly, Leeds United signed him from a Qatar based club Al-Arabi in 2016 when it seemed like his career was in its final phase. Garry Monk might not have done too much right when he was at Elland Road, but he brought in Hernandez initially on loan. The veteran player has kept on redefining himself ever since.
In the first two games, he has already scored two and assisted one, and he is the chief orchestrator in attack for the Whites. The playmaker has entered into the final year of his contract so there could be some temptation to sell the 34-year-old for money. However, there is no way that anyone associated with the club will think something like that with a promotion to the Premier League on the line.
This could be a make or break year for the four times Spain international and Leeds United are lucky to have a quality player like him at their disposal. Even an offer from Barcelona will not change United’s mind this season.
