Leeds United could easily have lost Pablo Hernandez this summer

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Leeds United have been in fantastic form this season. The West Yorkshire side have been incredible under the guidance of new boss Marcelo Bielsa and fully deserve to be sitting at the top of the Championship.

One of the key men so far has been Pablo Hernandez. The former Spanish international has played four times this season, scoring and assisting two goals in his quartet of appearances.

Leeds United fans have long known of Hernandez’s brilliance, but this season looks as though it could be his best yet. Bielsa is a massive fan and has heaped praise on those displays in recent weeks.

 “I think he can make me a better coach – he is one of the best players in his position I have worked with in my career.”

– Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa on Hernandez

However, Leeds might have gone into the season without him.

Hernandez was coming to the end of his contract at Leeds this summer. By March, there had still been little movement regarding a future at Elland Road. The previous month it was even being reported that Garry Monk, who had worked with him at Leeds and Swansea City, could try and lure him to Birmingham City.

It seemed that Hernandez’s future factored around the length of any deal. The fact Leeds had again changed managers mid-season also did not help matters. With the midfield maestro known to want to finish his career back home with Castellon, a club he is now part-owner of, perhaps Hernandez was on his way out.

Fortunately for Leeds, whatever delay there was came to an end when Hernandez signed a two-year extension at the end of April.

If Leeds had lost him this summer, finding a player capable of what he does would not have been easy. Now, it seems the Spaniard could be leading Leeds to a promotion charge this season.