Phil Hay, senior reporter from the Yorkshire Evening Post, has said that his gut feeling is that attacker Samu Saiz will leave Leeds in January.
The story, that broke out of the blue on Thursday, is that Saiz is unsettled at Leeds and wants to return to Spain with his pregnant partner.
Hay was responding to questions from a Leeds fan on Twitter, who asked him whether he thought Saiz would go and whether Leeds would get a replacement.
Hay said that he didn’t know about a replacement – manager Marcelo Bielsa has said he’s not keen on signing players in January – but that he thought Saiz would go.
not sure about replacement but gut feeling is that Saiz goes.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) December 14, 2018
However, Hay also said that it was “quite telling last weekend that Bielsa was so critical (by his standards) of Saiz’s form. Doesn’t often speak like that about individual players.”
difficult when Saiz is so intent on leaving. Not the sort of situation Bielsa would want to persist with. I thought it was quite telling last weekend that Bielsa was so critical (by his standards) of Saiz's form. Doesn't often speak like that about individual players.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) December 14, 2018
OPINION
Lots has been said about Samu Saiz this season. And, while it might seem like a big loss to Leeds fans, it could actually work out for the best. We’ve heard talk that Saiz hasn’t been fit this season – certainly not to Bielsa’s standards. Despite being one of their best players, he hasn’t been able to hold down a first-team place this season and he hasn’t been on his best form. The 27-year-old hasn’t scored in 18 league games and has only chipped in with three assists. Leeds have been fine without him and if they can replace him in January with someone who’s a bit more committed, this could work out to be one of the best things that could happen. The last thing Leeds need is a player who’s unsettled and who could bring the team down. Bielsa is obviously not happy with him and all the talk that’s come from Elland Road is that something seems to be up. If that’s the case they should let him go, get as big a fee as possible for him and bring someone in in January. When Phil Hay has a ‘gut feeling’ he’s generally right. But, in this instance, we don’t think it’s a bad thing. Handled correctly of course.