Leeds United fans have taken to Twitter to express their surprise at Mateusz Klich’s omission from the starting XI for Saturday’s Championship cash against Birmingham.
Manager Thomas Christiansen has made two changes to the side that beat Burton Albion 2-1 on Boxing Day due to the unavailability through injury of central midfielders Ronaldo Vieira and Eunan O’Kane.
Many Leeds fans had expected summer signing Klich to be paired in central midfield with Kalvin Phillips, who has been a mainstay of the promotion chasing team this season.
But Christiansen has pulled off a shock selection by starting centre-back Connor Shaughnessy in a more advanced position rather than select Klich or former Newcastle United favourite Vurnon Anita.
It is a massive blow to Poland international Klich’s hopes of climbing the pecking order at Elland Road.
United fans took to social media en masse to rage at the omission of the former FC Twente player, with many claiming he is surely heading for the Elland Road exit.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
Wow how far have Klich and Anita fallen in the pecking order.
— Stephen Lewis (@vegansmithsfan) December 30, 2017
For me that’s a massive kick in the nuts for klich – saiz can’t be 100% either
— Ron (@ronaallleeds) December 30, 2017
Can he play CM though? The one time he came on as a CM he wasn’t great. Klich must be going in Jan if he can’t start with 2 injured.
— Paul LUFC (@pistol1603) December 30, 2017
Yeah I was saying earlier that I reckon Klich will come in and do a big job later in season. If he’s the 5th choice CM then there’s not a chance of that.
— Daryl ? (@Dazelar29) December 30, 2017
Anita and Klich have got to be fuming #lufc https://t.co/JNxSOdbUqZ
— Casey (@Gareth_Casey) December 30, 2017
How does Klich not start today #lufc
— Shaun McNulty (@Nultzz) December 30, 2017
Klich has to be sold in January surely. He’s not going to want to sit around as fifth or sixth choice #lufc
— Tom (@tomwilko95) December 30, 2017
Klich won’t even get brought on ffs. He deserved a chance and he didn’t get it
— Aaron (@RoofeFinesse) December 30, 2017
Shaughnessy doesn’t look half the kop in centre mid that he looks at centre half. Strange one. Wonder what Klich has done, looked ok at Burnley.
— Mike (@LeedsMJ84) December 30, 2017