‘Brilliant news’ – Exclusive: Whelan reacts as Leeds have agreed multi-million new deal
Noel Whelan has expressed his delight that midfielder Mateusz Klich has put pen to paper on a long-term Leeds United contract.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-United forward hailed the Poland international signing a four-and-a-half-year deal at the weekend as “brilliant news”.
United announced on their official media channels that Klich, 29, has agreed a contract that will keep him at the club until he is 34.
Whelan believes this is a ringing endorsement of a player rated so highly by Marcelo Bielsa he has named him in the starting XI for every league match since he’s been Leeds manager.
“It’s brilliant news about Klich,” Whelan told Football Insider. “He is a hugely talented player, no question about it, and it tells you a lot that he’s always in Bielsa’s team.
“He had a great start to last season in terms of scoring goals and everyone expected him to emulate that this season. He’s not having his best time in terms of scoring goals, but that’s because the opposition are playing deeper against Leeds and this is limiting his runs in behind.
“I think he’s having a great season again. His energy, industry, running are key to how Leeds play, and he is good on the ball as well. He provides a lot for his teammates.”
Klich has started all 16 of Leeds’ Championship matches this season as well as all 48 in Bielsa’s first campaign at the helm.
A Leeds source has told Football Insider the new deal is worth multiple millions to Klich and includes a significant pay rise for someone whose previous deal was due to expire next summer.
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