---
title: "Leeds: Noel Whelan slams Diego Llorente after West Ham performance"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-noel-whelan-slams-diego-llorente-after-west-ham-performance/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2021-03-11T20:05:20Z"
modified: "2021-03-11T20:05:20Z"
---

# Leeds: Noel Whelan slams Diego Llorente after West Ham performance

**Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has laid into Diego Llorente, picking out one particular ‘terrible’ incident against West Ham.**

The Whites were beaten 2-0 at the London Stadium on Monday evening, as their Premier League season threatens to peter out a little.

It’s now four defeats in the last five league outings for Marcelo Bielsa’s men, who are [11th in the table](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/table) ahead of Saturday’s visit of Chelsea.

### Llorente comes in for criticism from Whelan

Someone who had a bad night at the office against the Hammers was Llorente, with the centre-back at fault for Craig Dawson’s goal.

The Spaniard [joined](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54272055) Leeds from Real Sociedad back in September, but has made [just four starts](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/123232/Show/Diego-Llorente) in the league to date, struggling badly with [injuries](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/diego-llorente/verletzungen/spieler/246291).

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Speaking to [*Football Insider*](https://www.footballinsider247.com/whelan-unhappy-with-terrible-llorente-defending-as-leeds-achilles-heel-exposed/), Whelan didn’t hold back in his criticism of Llorente, saying much more is needed from a player with so much experience:

> *“*You are looking at a centre-half who is a Spanish international.  You have to do your homework beforehand. I knew that Dawson was their most dangerous, aggressive player from set pieces. In the second-half Bielsa rectified that mistake because he made Liam Cooper mark him instead.
>
> “When you look at Dawson’s goal, it’s terrible defending. It’s weak and too easy. You do not expect that from a Spanish centre-half.
>
> “He gave Dawson so much room and freedom inside the penalty area. You cannot do that. It was a free header at the far post.
>
> “We have been like this all season. Set pieces have once again been our achilles heel.”

### Transfer Tavern take

In fairness to Llorente, his aforementioned fitness woes have made it difficult for him to settle at Elland Road, so Whelan’s judgment is slightly harsh.

The 27-year-old’s pedigree is undeniable, with [six caps](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/diego-llorente/profil/spieler/246291) to his name for Spain, and he likely just needs a run in the team in order to find his feet.

He will though be forced to defend better when the Whites square off with a red-hot Chelsea side or things could turn ugly.

***In other news, [Patrick Bamford revealed his feelings towards divisive referee Mike Dean](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-patrick-bamford-provides-honest-assessment-of-mike-dean/)!***