Leeds United employee issues ‘huge’ Diego Llorente claim
Diego Llorente’s recall to the Spain squad will do him “the world of good” after a difficult campaign with Leeds United, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Whites striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 28-year-old’s “confidence and belief” may have been restored.
Llorente played 90 minutes as Spain drew 1-1 against Portugal on Thursday (2 June) – his first appearance for La Roja since April 2021 and his ninth cap in total.
The former Real Sociedad defender, who made 28 Premier League appearances during the 2021-22 season, was a late addition to Luis Enrique’s squad after an injury to Aymeric Laporte.
Llorente was named in WhoScored‘s stats-based ‘Premier League Ineffective XI’ (27 May) after recording an aerial success rate of 43.9% – the worst of any centre-back in the 2021-22 campaign.
Whelan insisted the “pressure” on the Leeds United star has been lifted after narrowly avoiding relegation.
“I think all these players are going into the international break in a completely different mindset,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“They’ve got to have that energy about them because of that massive relief – the pressure has just been lifted.
“They’ve now all got the freedom to go out and play football.
“What a lovely way to finish the season for Llorente, in particular. He’s stayed up and he’s got the added boost of going back into that Spain squad and making more caps.
“I think it’ll do him the world of good. He needs these kinds of games because it hasn’t been a particularly smooth season for him.
“This will give him back that confidence and that belief.
“He’s an excellent player. It’s a nice way to finish the season.”
In other news, Leeds United tipped by pundit to sign another Red Bull star after two deals done.