OPINION
Every Leeds United fan will have a memory or two of individual brilliant at Elland Road during their support – be that from Billy Bremner, Eddie Gray, Peter Lorimer or another of the Whites’ heroes.
Most recently the magic has come from the likes of Pablo Hernandez and Samu Saiz, the Spanish pair conjuring up some moments of brilliance for themselves or their teammates.
Of course, while one remains at Elland Road as a cult hero among the supporters, the other has left on loan under something of a cloud, with question marks over his attitude and approach to the team effort.
Midfielder Adam Forshaw has issued a brutally honest statement suggesting that the rest of the players among the squad were not too impressed with his work ethic, telling Leeds Live: “Everyone who’s in the squad now buys into what we’re doing and works really hard for the team and it’s not about any individuals.
“I’ll be honest. He’s a good player, but we’re a team and we all work together and that’s that really. I don’t think we’ve missed him so far since he’s left.”
Now, there is no questioning that Leeds have got a seriously impressive work ethic under Marcelo Bielsa and that any rogues among the squad have and will be quickly weeded out – but surely this approach leaves the possibility of individual magic under threat.
Look at some of the best players in the world, the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and it is clear that an individual sense of ruthlessness and selfishness can bring great success when well managed.
While Marcelo Bielsa is evidently willing to accommodate technicians in his grafting side, they will only be allowed in if they work as exceptionally hard as Pablo Hernandez – otherwise the axe beckons.
The Argentine boss needs to find a way to work with, rather than against, a player with arrogance and flair to ensure that the magic and enjoyment at Leeds remains – otherwise there is going to be no cutting edge and no entertainment for the supporters.