According to a piece written by The Athletic journalist Phil Hay, Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa demanded that new signing Jean-Kevin Augustin run laps on the synthetic track at Thorp Arch immediately upon arriving on loan at the club.
Augustin, who signed on loan from RB Leipzig in January after spending the first half of the season at AS Monaco, has only managed three substitute appearances so far this campaign – playing a meagre total of 49 minutes before the EFL’s untimely suspension (WhoScored). Dubbed a ‘coup‘ by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Augustin hasn’t exactly settled to life in Yorkshire – just recently recovering from an injury which kept him out of action during the final few weeks before football’s postponement.
The Frenchman, as revealed by Hay, was demanded by manager Bielsa to perform laps around Thorp Arch almost immediately upon his arrival.
Indeed, while this could be perceived as slightly extreme, Bielsa’s demands for player fitness are well documented – with players now doing their best to keep in shape for football’s return during their isolation period. Augustin, who has averaged one shot per game over his limited minutes, will hopefully be doing the same to retain match fitness – with Bielsa undoubtedly expecting the same standard which helped Leeds soar to the top of the Championship.
While Augustin won’t be the first player put to the test by the Argentine, it shows how truly demanding the Whites gaffer can be in his hunt for second tier success.
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