‘Are you really that surprised?’ – Exclusive: Bent rips into Leeds after big development
Darren Bent has claimed he is unsurprised Leeds United players have been training at the club’s headquarters in contravention of quarantine rules.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former England striker suggested that Marcelo Bielsa would do anything in his power to ensure that his side have as much of an advantage as possible over their rivals when they return to action following the Coronavirus lockdown.
As revealed by Football Insider, Leeds went against governmental advice by allowing players to train at Thorp Arch on Friday.
Bent has claimed that he is far from shocked by the move even though there was no indication Bielsa himself was present or that social distancing guidelines were not observed.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “He shouldn’t be allowing that, but we’re talking about Bielsa here.
“We’re talking about a guy that went through Spy-gate, that sent people to opposition training grounds to watch tactics, then when he was asked about it, didn’t deny it. So are you really that surprised at Bielsa? For me, I’m not really.
“He shouldn’t be doing it, but any way for him to get an advantage over the opposition, he will do it. Whether that’s breaking rules, breaking protocol, we’ve seen it before.
“Can you really punish him for it? It’s a very unique situation.
“Even if he can gain 1% over an opposition to get his side ready for when they go back to get them over the line, he will do it.”
Leeds currently find themselves top of the Championship by a point with nine matches left to play.
As revealed by Football Insider earlier in the week, the EFL are increasingly optimistic that they will be able to stage those matches in the coming weeks and months, as opposed to having to void the campaign.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Remarkable’ – Whelan in awe of Radrizzani after new report.