Leeds United’s latest loss to Millwall means that they have slipped on to the fifth spot in the table. The Whites might have won against their promotion rivals West Brom recently, but their inability to go past teams who like to sit back and defend in numbers is costing them.
The last few games was an excellent opportunity for summer signing Helder Costa to show what he is capable of as United’s chief playmaker as Pablo Hernandez was injured. However, Costa has looked average at best, and one wouldn’t blame Bielsa if he gets the drop in the next few games.
Positive update on Pablo Hernandez
Bielsa though has recently given a positive piece of news as the latest update from Yorkshire Evening Post suggests that Hernandez could be back earlier than expected and he could be in line to feature after the international break. The break is definitely a blessing in disguise as it will give the injured players time to recover. Moreover, it will provide the team management the time to think about where they have gone wrong in the past few weeks.
Hernandez’s presence in the attacking third is often vital for the Yorkshire outfit. The experienced Spaniard starts on the right flank, but he often drifts inside into central areas.
The 34-year-old doesn’t have the pace to beat his defenders, but he makes up for it with his guile and creativity. The right-back usually provides the width as Hernandez looks to get on the ball in central areas to affect play.
How can Bielsa utilise Pablo Hernandez after the break?
Bielsa is suffering an injury crisis in the middle as Adam Forshaw and Jamie Shackleton are injured. Maybe the Argentine boss could give Hernandez a chance to feature as an attacking midfielder and Costa could continue on the right flank. Costa needs some game time to get used to United’s playing style and the sooner he starts firing, the better it will be for the Whites.
Last season, Hernandez had played in a few games in central areas, and he did relatively well. Forshaw has looked decent in that role this season, but he doesn’t seem to have goals in his game. Hernandez is a decent shooter from the edge of the area and maybe shifting him into central areas could solve some of Leeds United’s goal-scoring woes.
Hopefully, Bielsa will have something refreshing lined up after the international break as the Whites have become way too predictable with their game plan.
