OPINION
Marcelo Bielsa could have hardly asked for a better start at Leeds United with two wins from two in the Championship, not to mention a League Cup first round win, but it appears he is not quite settled with the structure of his side.
There are still some areas which are looking a bit thin in terms of squad depth, and the fact remains that the club perhaps have not recruited as many new signings as was to be expected after last season’s bitter disappointment.
With the loan window still open to the end of August, Leeds still have the opportunity to shake up their side a little more for the rest of 2018, but it appears Bielsa might be thinking of making internal changes to get the best out of what he already has at his disposal.
The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Phil Hay claims on his Twitter account that the Argentine is plotting a shock switch for 27-year-old Northern Irish international Stuart Dallas, who is naturally a winger who has filled in as a full back, by moving him into the centre of the park – a move which could well be a masterstroke that demonstrates the manager’s genius.
apparently he sees potential in Dallas as a centre mid. Hernandez isn't going to play 46 games and Roberts/Harrison are fairly young. Think they'd just like to make sure they're covered.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) August 15, 2018
Unlike many other wingers, Dallas is not the fastest out of the blocks, nor does he have quick feet or the tricks and skills to beat opponents.
Instead, he is an industrious figure in the side, using his vast amounts of energy to keep the ball moving as well as contribute to the defensive side of the game, one reason he has been shoehorned in at the back.
He has got great passing ability – evidenced by his crossing from the flanks – and as such an attacking vision which sees opportunities others might not, and all these qualities culminate into a man who could well be a talented playmaker in the middle of the park.
He is not going to be a box-to-box midfielder like Adam Forshaw or Mateusz Klich, but he will bring some vision and technique to a midfield lacking that creative edge, but even then, it would be a shock to see him make the move from out wide to a central position.
Bielsa is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the world, and with such astute tactical changes such as this one, he could well be proving it at Elland Road.