Marcelo Bielsa wants Eddie Nketiah at Leeds next season

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Marcelo Bielsa has suggested that he would not only like to have Eddie Nketiah stay at Leeds United for the rest of the season, but he would also love to have the striker at Elland Road for the next campaign as well, in comments reported by Leeds Live.

There appears to be a question mark hanging over Nketiah’s future at Leeds. He joined from Arsenal on a season-long loan in the summer. But the forward is yet to make a Championship start for the Whites.

The Daily Mirror reported this week that Leeds remain hopeful that the youngster will not be recalled by the Gunners. But it is noted that they are making plans in case his parent club do decide to bring him back due to his lack of game-time.

Bielsa however, has insisted that he would like to keep Nketiah for the rest of the campaign. And he, perhaps surprisingly, added that he would love to have him at Leeds for another year afterwards.

“I hope he continues and I wish he wants to stay with us. I think Eddie’s integration into Leeds is going to be good if he stays in January and one more year,” he said, as reported by Leeds Live.

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It would be a huge boost for Leeds to keep Nketiah this season. He has shown just how ruthless he can be in front of goal. And the Whites will arguably struggle to find a better replacement in January if Arsenal do want him back.

He looked to be on the cusp of making his first league start before his recent injury. And he has already scored some incredibly important goals for the club.

But if Bielsa wants to keep him for the rest of the season and stand a chance of holding onto him for a second year, then he surely needs to prove a point throughout December.

Arsenal would be forgiven for wanting to see signs that Nketiah is not wasted at Leeds before January arrives. Handing him some starts before the end of the year looks to be vitally important, especially now that it may have implications for next season.