‘Wow’ – Whelan blown away by ‘incredible’ senior Leeds star this summer
EXCLUSIVE
Noel Whelan has admitted he has been blown away by the performances and quality shown by Pablo Hernandez this summer as Leeds United prepare for another Championship campaign.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Elland Road forward and lifelong Leeds fan could not stop drooling over the Spaniard’s qualities both on and off the pitch, acting as a role model with both the quality of performances and his dedication to the cause.
The 34-year-old is committed to Leeds for another season after penning a two-year deal at the club in April 2018, having joined on an initial loan back in 2017.
Having travelled with his teammates to Australia for the club’s pre-season games against Manchester United and Western Sydney Warriors, Hernandez stole the show against the Australian’s with a wonderful last-minute winner.
Having dazzled down under, Whelan admitted the veteran forward continues to take his breath away.
“He’s a great role model for anyone at that football club, you couldn’t ask for any more from Pablo Hernandez,” Whelan exclusively told Football Insider.
“The energy, the enthusiasm, the skill he brings – he’s showing the young ones how to do it in his 30s and that’s quite incredible that he still has that appetite for the game.
“I’m so happy he’s there, he’s a great influence on the players, and you can see from his goal in Australia – I mean, wow. Does he have the skill, the pace and the quality? Wow, yeah, of course he does. He’s going to be another exciting player to watch again.
“I’m so happy we’ve managed to keep him hungry.”
Hernandez played 39 times in the Championship for Leeds last season, scoring 12 goals and chipping in with a further 12 assists, and he has featured in 122 games across all competitions for the Whites.
In other Leeds United news, Whelan has suggested that one of the club’s first-team mainstays has had a change of heart over his future at the club.