Marcelo Bielsa makes Mateusz Klich admission after Leeds win

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Marcelo Bielsa has admitted that Sunday’s win proved to be a difficult game for Mateusz Klich as he suggested that the Leeds United midfielder’s importance diminished – in comments reported by Leeds Live.

Klich has not been quite as influential for the Whites in recent times. He endured a tough afternoon at Old Trafford. And he did not have the best game in the 1-0 victory against Burnley either.

The Poland international seemed to initially feature in a deeper role with Kalvin Phillips playing as a third centre-back. But his influence on the game started to fade before he was replaced by Jamie Shackleton shortly after the hour mark.

Bielsa has suggested that it was a tough task for Klich to make his usual impact due to the style of the contest, but he did hint that he was happy with other areas of his game.

“Well today he had a very difficult game,” he said, in comments reported by Leeds Live, when asked about Klich’s recent form. “He had to defend a lot and in the first half he resolved the necessities of the game well. In the second half the game was a lot more confusing and the best things that he does were difficult to develop in this type of game.

“He’s a player who manages the ball very well and we didn’t have the ball a lot in the second half so it’s natural that he would lose importance in a game of these characteristics. Having said that he was very generous and he was willing to resolve the necessities that were being presented in his sector.”

TBR View: Klich entitled to quieter spell after superb start to Premier League life

In fairness to Klich, he has been outstanding for much of the season. He already has a tally of three goals and four assists for the Whites in the Premier League.

There was always likely to be a time when he would not be able to stamp his authority on a game. But the positive for Leeds is surely that they still managed to win when they were not at their free-flowing best.