Leeds United’s football has been fantastic for fans to watch, even opposition fans have warmed to the Whites style of football despite being often outclassed on the pitch. However, aside from its breathless beauty, it’s also had other effects.
Yes the brand of football that Marcelo Bielsa has instilled into Leeds United has been a breath of fresh air for Leeds United fans, and yes he’s achieved this with mainly the starting XI that Thomas Christiansen/Paul Heckingbottom laboured with.
One player that didn’t even get the chance to shine was Polish midfielder Mateusz Klich. A disagreement with Christiansen led to the cold-shoulder treatment at Elland Road and the midfielder heading out on loan back to Holland with FC Utrecht.
He left after making just five Sky Championship performances, totalling just 135 minutes of games time. A further four games came in the Carabao Cup, racking up 358 minutes of on-pitch action. However, there was nothing to worry the statisticians and historians in his actions.
How things changed though for Mateusz Klich at Elland Road.
His performances back in Holland for Utrecht made some Leeds fans sit up and pay attention. 14 games, one goal, three assists and a series of assured performances were what these fans were getting to hear about.
However, he returned like a man on a mission, in fact saying he had ‘unfinished business’ at the club. He’s featured extensively in ALL of Leeds’ games this season so far, five games and 419 minutes of football. Leeds fans have seen him settle into a more defensive midfield role, but in a Leeds side bristling with momentum and attacking prowess Klich gets forward.
There was talk earlier this week that Klich was favoured by the Polish press to be receiving a recall to the international set-up on the back of his improved Leeds United form. That ‘talk’ has proven to be true, as evidenced by the following from Leeds United:
| Well done to @Cli5hy who has been called upto Poland’s national squad for their upcoming fixtures against Italy and Ireland pic.twitter.com/cyQLeNHowF
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 27, 2018
It’s just rewards for the hard-working Pole, rewards for his output in his opening five games for a rejuvenated Leeds United side. If he features against Italy, it will be four years to the day since his last appearance for the national side – a 71-minute stint in a 7-1 drubbing of minnows Gibraltar.
It’s a recall that Leeds United fans have taken to and commented on. Here’s what some of them are saying:
What an amazing role model. In the face of adversity, he kept believing in himself and worked harder than ever and he’s got his reward. Well done @Cli5hy – well deserved.
— FionaCK (@FionaCK) August 27, 2018
— Ben ‘Jones (@DraftHitta) August 27, 2018
Nice one! Really pleased with how your season is turning out so far for Leeds, and now back in national colours! Chuffed for you!
— John Pensacola (@johnsacola) August 27, 2018
Great attitude after last season’s mishandling of him. Been class this season, happy for him
— Grant Susse (@grantsusse) August 27, 2018
Klich will score more than Lewandowksi in those games, calling it
— Nat (@ffsFloersch) August 27, 2018
Sublime touch, grace, awareness and deft attacking presence. Poland would do well to organise their team around his abilities. Respect!
— Paul Dharma (@djdharma11) August 27, 2018
Very well deserved this. His attitude to come back and perform like he has done shows what a great player he is. Congrats Mateusz
— Gareth (@gazLUFC13) August 27, 2018