OPINION
With Marcelo Bielsa now at the helm at Leeds United, the transfer business at Elland Road should be kicking off – and it will likely see a mix of new arrivals and departing figures over the coming weeks.
One man whose future is currently unclear is defender Paudie O’Connor, with the youngster seemingly on the fringes of the first team after breaking through the youth ranks and into the senior side last season.
His four Championship appearances do not seem to have been enough to convince Bielsa to give him more of a chance next season, with the Mirror claiming that a new contract will be coming his way before he is shipped out to another club on a temporary deal.
However, this is a big mistake on a number of levels for the new man in charge.
Firstly, Leeds are severely lacking in defensive options, hence why O’Connor was handed game time in the first place, and with just Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper ahead of him in the pecking order, sending him out before reinforcements are brought in is a recipe for disaster.
Secondly, while game time is important, so is developing under the right type of manager, and considering the credentials that Bielsa has in the footballing world, there are few other coaches who could impose such valuable knowledge on the 20-year-old below England’s top flight.
A new deal hints at O’Connor being considered as potentially good enough for the first team, but the prospect of loaning him out suggests otherwise – and if Bielsa cannot make his mind up, surely it would be best to keep him close at hand so he himself can run the rule over his development?
O’Connor will be desperate to be playing next season – but the wrong loan spell could end his time at Leeds, and at present Bielsa is making a big mistake.