Mateusz Klich shares how his Leeds role has changed under Marsch

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Mateusz Klich has admitted to BBC Radio Leeds that his new role in the Leeds United side takes him away from what he likes to do, but insisted that he is enjoying playing how Jesse Marsch wants him to.

Klich had spent much of his Elland Road spell playing as the number eight or number 10 for Marcelo Bielsa. And it had transformed his career after he had been written off under Thomas Christiansen.

Interestingly, when he did feature under Christiansen, he had tended to be deployed slightly deeper. And it did appear to be a role that did not suit the Poland international – though that may have largely been done to how infrequently his chances came.

With Marsch at the helm, Klich has been used in the double-pivot alongside the likes of Robin Koch, Adam Forshaw and Kalvin Phillips. And he has had some success in the position.

Klich was asked about being used more defensively. And while he suggested that he prefers to be buzzing around all over the pitch, he claimed that he is liking the current role.

“Yeah [I play more defensively]. Play a bit different, a bit more behind,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.

“I play a bit more like a holding midfielder rather than running around everywhere like I wanted to. But I quite enjoy it. I get loads of the ball and I try and transport the ball to our offensive players.”

Mateusz Klich faces battle to keep spot in Leeds United side in the long-term

Klich was a stalwart under Bielsa. The first league game he did not start under the Argentinian came at the end of his second season. At that stage, promotion had already been secured.

He has featured in every league game under Marsch. But, for various reasons, he has not yet completed 90 minutes under the new boss.

With Phillips coming back to full fitness, and Leeds fans hoping for a big summer, it is perhaps fair to suggest that the 31-year-old is one player who may have a point to prove.

He is probably the player most fans would want alongside Phillips in the coming weeks. Koch is naturally a centre-back. Meanwhile, Forshaw’s form has perhaps plateaued ever so slightly more recently.

So it may well be that Klich gets an opportunity to show that he can continue to play a big role for Leeds next year too.