Leeds United fans were blasting Marcelo Bielsa after he commented on young striker Ryan Edmondson.
The Argentine was questioned on why he hasn’t used the 18-year-old in the first-team squad this season. He claimed that after looking at the 35 players available to him, he chooses those that are the best options. However, the former Olympique Marseille manager also added that Edmondson could be better than Patrick Bamford meaning he would be wrong about not using him (via Phil Hay).
The under-23 player earnt big praise before the start of this campaign with former Elland Road ace Noel Whelan claiming he should have been promoted to the first-team (via Football Insider). In the absence of Tyler Roberts, due to injury, Patrick Bamford has struggled to make the necessary impact, producing the worst xG difference of the top 28 goalscorers in the second-tier (via LUFC Data).
Fans were left lambasting their coach after his comments on the youth player as they took to Twitter to react. Here is a selection of tweets from the Yorkshire faithful:
Sorry i aint feeling it for him anymore. Stubborn as a mule. Should have realised from last season demands of this league. Crack on with one first team striker then. Carry on your way.
— BRICK TOP’S LAD (@ScottLUFC2) January 16, 2020
The only criticism I have of that is while you’ve only got one striker, he’s only handicapping himself by not atleast putting Edmondson on the bench on a match day, incase of a situation arising.
Bamford goes off after 20 mins, who goes down middle? Harrison or Alioski? Silly.
— . (@Drakey21587) January 16, 2020
Dont believe a word of it you dont leave the only other strike youve got on the sidelines should at least have him on the bench
— John Evans (@evans1951) January 16, 2020
Its Bielsa’s way or the highway. That’s fine, but he has to live with the outcome. So far he’s done great things with teams on an international scale. So far he hasn’t won even a silver spoon….
— LiamG (@LiamG36756856) January 16, 2020
Out of interest; what is wrong with asking why our only other attacking option isn’t included in the squad? I’m pretty sure most fans aren’t saying play him instead of Bamford but what is the point of having no striking option on the bench. Top coach or not that is bonkers #LUFC
— Craig Bryant (@MrCricket35) January 16, 2020
Sometimes even the best coaches get so entangled in tactics that they forget that it’s goals that win football matches not fancy football 😬😬😬
— Kenny Brown (@kennybrown1964) January 16, 2020
Leeds fans, is Bielsa being stubborn by not giving Edmondson a chance in the first-team? Join the discussion!
