Bielsa provides damning update on Leeds’ key absentees

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has provided a detailed assessment of his side’s lack of investment following the January transfer window’s close last week.

The Argentine wasn’t afforded any new additions in the window to the surprise of the club’s supporters following a torrid injury record so far this season.

Heading into the second half of the campaign, the Lilywhite’s ambition has been curbed in comparison to their return to the top-flight last season, which saw the West-Yorkshire side amount the highest points tally for a newly-promoted club (59 points).

Bielsa provides injury updates

Forced to rotate his starting XI, Bielsa has been dealt key injury blows in a variety of positions, including senior figures such as Kalvin Phillips and skipper Liam Cooper.

Providing much-awaited updates on the absentees in question, the Leeds boss assured that the two, “are in the final stages of their recovery from their operations,” with both returning from respective hamstring-related injuries.

Perhaps the area that has proved most costly and therefore demanded investment for Leeds has been up front, as they continue to mourn the loss of Patrick Bamford.

The Englishman’s guile in front of goal was a vital element to his side’s success last season, but has failed to achieve match fitness following a plethora of setbacks including ankle, hip and foot injuries.

Having made only six Premier League appearances this season and not featuring since December, his manager provided a damning update on his talisman.

"Bamford has an injury where we can’t predict when he’ll return because it depends on the pain going away so he can start jogging again. Since the injury started, the pain hasn’t gone away."

Although to no avail, those in charge of transfers did make attempts to fill Bamford’s absence, in the form of RB Salzburg’s Brenden Aaronson.

The Athletic understands the Premier League club raised their bid to £20m after an initial offer of £15m was rejected for the US international, but ultimately received the same answer.

How has Leeds’ boss reacted to the lack of business?

Talking in-depth, Bielsa explained his surprising compassion towards the Leeds higher-up’s failure to add to his current options.

"With respect to no signings coming in, the possibility to improve the squad was not there. The club made the necessary efforts and they also showed a willingness to contribute. A willingness to invest more money. As a result, I can only value everything that has been done."

"The equilibrium of the economy of a club needs to be established for the good of the club. For the club not selling such important players, trying to make an investment of £20m, shows a signal."

A surprisingly amicable response from Bielsa, and one that is undoubtedly not paralleled by the Leeds faithful who are now forced to attach their optimism to options that are inexperienced in leading the line.

Summer signing Daniel James has been forced to adapt from his familiar wide position to offer firepower up front but up until this point, his unfamiliarity has shown, scoring just two goals.

Other options include Rodrigo plus youngsters Sam Greenwood and Joe Gelhardt but none of the above have made a worthy claim on the number 9 role, as winger Raphinha continues to provide a rare glimmer of hope for supporters.