Exclusive: Nigel Martyn says Leeds player is struggling to cope with the Premier League

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Nigel Martyn has told The Boot Room that he thinks Mateusz Klich is struggling to replicate the kind of form he showed in the first third of the season, and that the demands of the Premier League are catching up with the Leeds United midfielder.

Klich, 30, played 93 of the club’s 94 Championship fixtures during Marcelo Bielsa’s first two seasons at Elland Road – and was only absent when the Whites faced Derby County having already being promoted by Leeds. His consistency was remarkable.

A regular for Poland, Klich was shining in the Premier League during the early stages – having a hand in seven goals during the 15 Premier League matches he played before the turn of the year. But since then, he has failed to score or lay on an assist.

It even saw ex-FC Twente and Wolfsburg midfielder Klich lose his place in the starting line-up – instead, being used as a substitute in wins over Leicester and Newcastle. His performances of late have been below par, but there is a lack of cover.

That lack of depth means Leeds cannot afford to rest him, even though he clearly needs a few games on the sidelines. Leeds legend Martyn does not think Klich is the same player that starred earlier this season, struggling with the Premier League tempo.

“He is struggling, physically, with the pace of the Premier League,” Martyn told The Boot Room. “It is his first season in the Premier League, the first third he was outstanding – his work rate, and on the ball. The pace has caught up with him.

“He needs a break, but the squad isn’t big enough to give him two or three weeks off and recharge his batteries. He is struggling a little bit but his effort is still there, but he doesn’t look the same player we saw at the beginning of the year. He will have to play.”

TBR’s view – Do Leeds have a player to come in, or need a new signing?

Right now, in the Leeds squad there are not many that can do the job Klich does at Elland Road. Defensively clever, Klich is also more than effective going forward – and has an excellent engine that allows him to do both roles.

Is there anyone else in the squad that can do a similar job? The one probably closest to that is Jamie Shackleton, but he is still a rookie. While he has the engine, he does not have the quality. Adam Forshaw is another example, but he remains injured.

Having been missing for 18 months through a hip problem, Forshaw might not even play this season. So, Leeds might need to sign a midfielder this summer – having been linked with the likes of Rodrigo De Paul and Michael Cuisance in the summer.