Marcelo Bielsa gave a frank, open and honest pre-QPR FA Cup presser earlier today. Amidst news of injuries and comebacks, the Leeds United supremo even went as far as naming the side that he would be putting out.
However, it is what he said (below) about transfers and Leeds’ intentions that really has made fans sit up and take notice.
MB on transfers: “Samu Saiz left, Pablo now plays as a playmaker and we need a winger. The injury of Jamal Blackman has not been covered by another player. These are the two positions that were solved at the start of the competition and now we’re trying to find another one” #lufc
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) January 4, 2019
United and Bielsa have always been non-commital in terms of talking about the need to explore options in the January market. However, the Argentinian’s assertion that “now we’re trying to find one” is not only interesting, but more so it is potentially explanatory.
What it could lend itself to explaining is the interest that has raised itself above the parapet concerning Swiss international Steven Zuber. German media giant Bild linked the Whites as a side ‘interested’ in the left-sided midfielder-cum-winger, something written about here on The72.
Zuber started out at local club FC Kolbrunn-Rikon before making his way up to big-name Swizz side Grasshoppers Zurich. From there, the tattooed Swiss international moved to CSKA Moscow (2013 – £3.2m) and then to TSG Hoffenheim (2014 – £3.5m)
He has played 127 games in the Swiss Super League (23 goals/21 assists) and 82 games in the German 1.Bundesliga (seven goals/eight assists). He has also featured in Champions League competitions (for CSKA Moscow and Hoffenheim) as well as in the Europa League.
The 21-cap Swiss international has featured in just nine 1.Bundesliga games for Hoffenheim (574 minutes). Of these nine games, he has started six and come on as a substitute in the other three. Whilst not scoring, he has provided one assist. He has also scored in the Champions League this season – in the 3-2 defeat at home to Shakhtar Donetsk.
Zuber fits the bill on every level that Leeds United fans could wish for. Now with Bielsa admitting that they are looking for another winger, the question only needs to be asked – is Steven Zuber the one being sought?
