Muted reaction to Saiz departure underlines how far Bielsa has brought Leeds

By Sam Preston

Samu Saiz’ departure from Leeds developed very suddenly indeed and the Spaniard will reportedly remain in his native country until completing his loan move to Getafe on January 1.

Saiz was Leeds’ conductor at the start of the season but Adam Forshaw’s return, coupled with his own form tailing off, saw him slip out of Marcelo Bielsa’s plans.

That said, it was still a surprise to see him leave Elland Road – even though it’s clear that there are more factors than just football at play – and Bielsa has a job on to replace him.

But there has been a relatively muted response to his departure from Yorkshire; Leeds fans still believe their side to be more than capable of getting promoted, their faith in Bielsa remains unshaken.

(Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)

But consider what the reaction would have been last season, had Leeds lost Saiz for nothing under Thomas Christiansen.

Saiz was Leeds’ talisman last time around, their main creative force and his departure would have been a hammer blow to their hopes of getting up.

Therefore, it is yet another indicator of how far Leeds have come under Bielsa that the Argentine can oversee the departure of a player who was so key last season without any real fanfare or panic from a fanbase that is notoriously volatile.