For all the goals and wonderful football Leeds United have produced so far this season there are players who have gone under the radar. Although Mateusz Klich hasn’t gone under the radar as such, some of the things he does have, and he is the engine in this side under Marcelo Bielsa. Without tis role, the team doesn’t work.
Klich was frozen out under Thomas Christiansen last season and how the Spanish coach will regret that. So many fans were calling for Klich to get some time but it never happened and the relationship broke down. Under Marcelo Bielsa Klich played in the second XI in pre-season, linking Ronaldo Vieira in the deep role and Lewis Baker in the attacking midfield role. An injury to Adam Forshaw opened the door for his Leeds career, and in he stepped, closing it behind him.
Klich now plays as the “link”, a role that won’t get the credit it deserves. As Kalvin Phillips patrols in front of the defence and Samu Saiz is free to wander where he pleases Klich is expected to support both, and make runs to pull players away from both, giving them the time and space to complete their respective jobs. The work he gets through in a game is quite remarkable. This role has now be renamed, the “Klich role”, and Adam Forshaw will want a piece of it when he gets back.
When the ball is switched side to side you’ll notice that Klich has to complete a full sprint to make the angle on the other side of the park. The great example of this was at Norwich for the Alioski goal. Klich ran past Saiz who pulled the opposite way to drag the Norwich players side to side. Klich received the ball and fed it wide.
Adam Forshaw is probably more suited to the Kalvin Phillips role in defensive midfield but could certainly play this position. Klich has proved deadly in front of goal this season, popping up in various areas to get on the scoresheet, scoring the first goal in three separate games. We have gone on to win 3-1, 1-4 and 0-3 when he has scored first.
Such is the form of Mateusz Klich that he has been recalled to the international set-up for Poland. Leeds are no strangers to international players but Poland, along with Sweden are at a much higher level than others. Klich has had to push his way back into the plans under Marcelo Bielsa and nobody deserves it more than him. He was loaned out to Utrecht last season and performed at a higher level than any of the Leeds players during that time barring Pablo Hernandez.
