Leeds loanee Jean-Kevin Augustin could be ace up Bielsa’s sleeve when season resumes

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Leeds United fans are starting to understand why Marcelo Bielsa seems reluctant to do business during the January transfer window.

He claimed towards the end of last year that he would have left the squad as it was had Jack Clarke and Eddie Nketiah not had their loan moves to Elland Road terminated prematurely (via Leeds Live).

But their departures did force the club’s hand. And in their place, Leeds landed Ian Poveda and Jean-Kevin Augustin, leaving the supporters initially feeling that the Whites had done some inspired business.

Poveda’s CV is already incredible and highlights what a talent he could be. Meanwhile, Augustin looked to be one of the club’s biggest statements of intent for some time given he had previously enjoyed success in the Bundesliga and had been on loan at Monaco during the first-half of the campaign.

However, both men are still awaiting his first start for Leeds after the best part of two months in the Championship.

Initially, that looked to be down to Bielsa’s demands. He seemed determine to make sure that his new signings were up to the level he needed them to be at.

But more recently, injury has been to blame for Augustin’s absence.

He has been missing from Leeds’s last three matchday squads.

Bielsa was already taking his time with the 22-year-old. And it appeared that the process may have to start all over again once he returned from injury.

The fans meanwhile, may have wondered whether Augustin would end his loan spell still awaiting the chance to start a game for the club.

So perhaps Augustin may now prove to be one of the biggest winners of the current stoppage in the season.

Of course, there are so many variables that could determine how the rest of the campaign plays out.

But should the season resume in the coming months, Augustin may be in a much better position to contribute to the Whites’ promotion push.

If Bielsa treats the coming weeks as a pre-season for his players, Augustin can potentially get up to speed. He can eliminate much of the advantage that his teammates who were there before January had over him.

And he could potentially be a genuine rival for Patrick Bamford by the time Leeds return to the pitch.

If Leeds can get somewhere near the best out of Augustin this season, they will undoubtedly be another step closer to promotion.

There is a lot of uncertainty around right now. And it may be, if the season is voided, that Leeds never see Augustin play for the club again.

But if there is another chapter to be written, perhaps the Frenchman could prove to be the man ready with the pen.