OPINION
If anyone had suggested that Polish international Mateusz Klich would be crucial to the success of Leeds United this season before the summer, they would have been laughed at by anyone and everyone in listening distance.
The 28-year-old was a new arrival just last summer but found himself exiled before January and then shipped out on loan to FC Twente during the winter window, with his career at Elland Road seemingly over before it really began.
However, things have changed under new boss Marcelo Bielsa, and his influence on the first team’s early success this season cannot be underestimated.
Having started every one of the club’s three Championship games so far, netting in the opening two games, it was one stat against Rotherham which stood out – his attacking passes in the final third of the pitch.
As detailed by reliable stats source LUFCDATA, the six foot tall (Source: Transfermarkt) maestro was brilliant in keeping possession in Rotherham’s half, attempting 29 passes and completing 26 of them, demonstrating his worth as a creative outlet as well as keeping the ball.
Mateusz Klich completed 26 of this 29 passes in the attacking third of the pitch against Rotherham, more than any other player involved (89.7%). Superb link-up play. ? #LUFC pic.twitter.com/4nIOGebfUj
— LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA) August 20, 2018
With Bielsa’s high pressing game a key feature of Leeds, he needs to have players who he knows can be relied upon to not waste possession when they have it – it would be an exhausting match otherwise – and Klich embodies what the new man in charge is looking for.
He has been a huge surprise in the first team but it goes to show the difference one manager can make over another, and with Bielsa and Klich, it appears as though the duo work brilliantly together.