Leeds in a ‘mess’ as Bielsa ‘rumours’ swirl amid significant development today – pundit
Marcelo Bielsa’s “intense” training methods could be a factor in the availability crisis at Leeds United, according to Alan Hutton.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed he has heard “rumours” about the 66-year-old’s Thorp Arch regime.
Leeds United confirmed today (23 December) that the Boxing Day fixture against Liverpool is postponed following a number of positive COVID test results at the club.
The club’s statement also claimed the “well-documented injury issues” were also a factor in the fixture’s cancellation.
Football Insider revealed last week (17 December) that only eight Leeds United first-teamers were able to participate in training following an escalation in the crisis.
Hutton claimed Bielsa should consider “tapering down” the training schedule over the busy festive period.
“I’m not privy to what they do on the training ground at Leeds United,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“That being said, I’ve heard whispers about it being very intense, 110% every day – that could be what Bielsa demands from every single player.
“Obviously the games are the same, very high-intensity. It will all contribute to the mess they are in now.
“They’ve got injuries, COVID situations – and all of that with a quick turnaround between games.
“When I was playing, everything was tapered down depending on the fixtures you had coming up. I don’t know whether Bielsa will still have them out there, training to an intense level – but it could be a factor in all these players breaking down so frequently.”
Leeds United are enduring a run of four Premier League games without a win.
The Whites sit 16th in the table after conceding 14 goals in the last three games.
In other news, Leeds United are lining up a January move for EFL star man after asking price reveal.