Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has denied reports claiming that the Argentine has agreed a new two-year contract with the Yorkshire side. The veteran manager joined the club back in 2018 and guided them to the top-tier of English football following a 16-year absence.
The 65-year-old is enjoying his longest tenure at a club with Leeds. He, frequently in the limelight for his unorthodox methods, prefers to hold contract talks right after a season has been completed – with his present one-year deal signed just a day before the Premier League season commenced.
“That information is not real, I ignore the origin. Those things, either the club can say or I can say it, we are the ones who possess the information. In all cases, if there was any information to give, then I would give it.”
the Argentine asserted.
The statement comes after days of speculation back in his country, where a local newspaper ‘La Nacion’ claimed that both Bielsa and his employers were closing in on the deal.
Last weekend, a 10-men Leeds stunned runaway league leaders Manchester City 2-1 away from home, thanks to Stuart Dallas’ brace. The result saw the Peacocks climb back to the 10th spot in the table, and will now face Jurgen Klopp’s side at Elland Road this Monday. Should Bielsa’s men manage to win against a struggling Liverpool, a fourth straight win in the Premier League for the first time in twenty years is on the cards.
“I have always said that the dimension of the institution at Leeds is very big. The sporting past of Leeds is full of very high points. To win four games in a row in the Premier League – compared to all the things that Leeds have achieved – of course it will give us great happiness, but if you compare it to all the things Leeds have achieved in their sporting history, it’s not so big. To be able to be at the height of some of their past successes, some extraordinary things need to be done and we are quite far away from being there”
he said.
However, Leeds will face a difficult task without the services of their captain Liam Cooper who remains suspended for the fixture, after being sent off against City. Both Raphinha and striker Rodrigo are also doubtful for the clash with sources close to the club claiming that the players in question will undergo an assessment on Sunday.
The Brazilian winger has been one of the best revelations in this year’s Premier League campaign with his consistency so far. The former Rennes man suffered from a dead leg injury after a heavy challenge from City’s Fernandinho in the 89th minute of the game. Meanwhile, Rodrigo, missed the game at the Etihad Stadium and is still undergoing treatment by the club’s medical staff.
“Raphinha is recovering from a knock that he picked up in the game against City. His evolution we will see in the next couple of days. Rodrigo received a knock in his thigh. This knock is an internal hematoma. He is in the process of recovering from a muscular injury obtained last week.”
said Bielsa.
Midfielder Adam Forshaw who has been sidelined for over a year with a long-term hip-injury, is on course to gain match fitness and will feature in Leeds under-23 game against Aston Villa this Friday.
“In the game on Saturday, he played more than one half and tomorrow, the idea is for him to play a little bit more. Not to complete the ninety mins, but to add minutes.”
he added
