OPINION
Losing one of your best players for a prolonged period is not ideal for any manager – in this case, Leeds United’s Marcelo Bielsa.
The Argentine has had to adapt after star player Pablo Hernandez was resigned to the sidelines, which meant that attacking midfielder Samuel Saiz has had to step up in his absence.
Yes, he shone brightly in the first month of the season – but come the second without the help of Hernandez, Saiz has looked particularly poor indeed.
This is a shame, as the 27-year-old is capable of so much more than he has produced recently – but he must improve quickly.
He needs to show Bielsa that he is able to cope with the pressure of creating chances without the help of Hernandez, otherwise he will be doomed for the axe.
Bielsa certainly does not want players in his team who have the potential to compromise his side’s success so far this season – so binning the Spaniard may be on the cards.
He has looked increasingly frustrated recently, but that is due to the fact he is not performing to the required standard – not because of the players around him.
Saiz cannot rely on the talent of Hernandez to help him through, otherwise his career at Elland Road will not progress and he will just remain at a standstill.
Nevertheless, Bielsa must not be afraid to wield the axe on the 5ft 8in [Transfermarkt] player if he cannot prove that he is up to scratch.
He needs to learn to create his own chances, but at the moment he has not shown he is able to do that.
Time for Bielsa to be ruthless in the face of under-performing players, or he really risks compromising his side’s promotion hopes.