OPINION
The arrival of Marcelo Bielsa might have given some Leeds United players hope of reigniting what have up to this point been stagnating careers at Elland Road, but the new man in charge has wasted no time in clearing out the deadwood.
There have been no shortage of exits this summer, both permanent and temporary, as the Argentinian boss tidies up the first team ahead of the new campaign, but it seems as though he is still running the rule over a couple of players before making a final decision as to who will play a part when the Whites take on Stoke in their Championship opener.
Bielsa and his men are set to undergo yet another friendly clash today (Thursday, 26 June) with a match against National League North side Guiseley AFC, and it seems there are a trio of players fighting for their role under the new boss.
The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Lee Sobot has delivered some early team news, revealing Bielsa is to stick to what was a young starting XI after seeing his side slip to a 4-3 defeat against Oxford United in midweek, but that some senior stars could feature.
Bit of team news for tonight, Bielsa expected to name a similar side to the one which faced Oxford, set to save his strongest side for Sunday's friendly against Las Palmas. But Blackman, Baker, Vieira and Klich could all feature. #lufc
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) July 26, 2018
Jamal Blackman, Ronaldo Vieira, Mateusz Klich and Lewis Baker are all named as those who could appear during the game, and excluding Baker, the other three are all still trying to prove themselves at Elland Road.
Klich, who was exiled from the first team back in January and was cast out on loan, and Vieira, the young homegrown talent, both face a fierce fight to earn the right to star in the midfield next season, while goalkeeper Blackman has to usurp Bailey Peacock-Farrell in the battle between the sticks.
With just one friendly left after Thursday’s clash, this could be the one and only chance for these three to earn their place in the first team next season – and face watching from the sidelines if they fail their audition.