‘That is disgusting’ – Exclusive: Whelan tears into Saiz after Leeds dig
Noel Whelan has torn into Samuel Saiz days after Leeds United chiefs aimed a subtle dig at the former player in their financial results.
The ex-Whites and Coventry forward, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, insisted the 29-year-old “blew it” with his actions during his final season at the club.
Saiz left Elland Road in January 2019 to join Getafe on loan and that summer sealed a permanent move to his native Spain when he signed for Girona.
In the newly-published accounts for the year ending June 2019, it becomes apparent that the manner of Saiz’s exit left a bitter taste with the Leeds board.
Chief executive Angus Kinnear described the playmaker and Rolando Vieira, who left for Sampdoria, as “fringe” players in Marcelo Bielsa’s squad.
The comments would appear contentious given Saiz started 14 of 15 league matches at the beginning of last season and was actually a key member of the team.
When asked by Football Insider if the Spanish midfielder made a mistake forcing an exit from Elland Road last year, Whelan said: “He is a talented young man but he needs to have a better attitude. Attitude outweighs talent for me. You want fighters and people that want to play for the shirt. Fans pay a lot of money.
“The spitting incident was petulant and is enough to sack a player in my opinion. Then to come out and say he was not trying hard enough at the end of the season… If people said that in their jobs they would be sacked.
“He blew it with the way he acted. I do not want players at Leeds United that do not want to be there. That is disgusting. Get rid of them.”
Saiz was banned for six matches in January 2018 after spitting at Newport winger Robbie Willmott in stoppage time at the end of Leeds’ shock 2-1 FA Cup defeat.
In other Leeds United news, Noel Whelan has told Football Insider current distribution of TV rights money “is a disgrace” after Gary Neville comments.