Whelan tips rare sight ‘fans will love’ in Leeds XI v Burnley after Llorente reveals
Noel Whelan has tipped Marcelo Bielsa to partner Diego Llorente and Robin Koch at the heart of the Leeds United defence against Burnley.
The former Leeds striker and club ambassador, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted he would “love” to see the pair play alongside each other at centre-back for only the second time during their time at Elland Road.
As confirmed by Marcelo Bielsa on Friday (31 December), Llorente is in contention to start against the Clarets after missing the Arsenal defeat through injury.
Koch started alongside Luke Ayling at centre-back during the 4-1 loss to the Gunners.
However, Whelan suggested Llorente could make an immediate return to form a centre-back partnership barely seen at Elland Road.
“This is what we bought them for. We bought these players to be our regular centre-halves,” Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“It’s only due to injuries when they first came into Leeds United. You’ve had Struijk who came into some really good form and started pushing and competing for these places.
“I would love to see the two of them start together. I think a lot of the fans will love to see that partnership try and develop over a space of time, especially when you’ve got Liam Cooper out.
“You can get yourself Luke Ayling back to the right wing-back role, which is fantastic. That’s where he’s got all the energy. Then pop Dallas back into that central midfield area, where we know he loves to play in that position.
“I think you’ve got to look at those two. You’ve got to stop putting round pegs in square holes here and play two quality, international centre-halves together.”
Koch and Llorente have been named in the same starting XI just twice since joining in 2020.
The only game they have been partnered at centre-back was the 2-0 defeat to Brighton last season.
In other news, a Leeds United star with ‘no loyalty’ will quit ‘within a year’ after an update today, claims pundit.