Marcelo Bielsa has given the strongest possible hint that Leeds will add more than just a goalkeeper in the January transfer window.
Talking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game with QPR, Bielsa was asked about possible transfers.
To start he didn’t give too much away, repeating the line that he didn’t expect many players to come in.
However, later on in the press conference Bielsa gave much more specific details and confirmed that he “trusted” Victor Orta’s work.
He said, “Samu Saiz left, Pablo now plays as a playmaker and we need a winger. The injury of Jamal Blackman has not been covered by another player.
“These are the two positions that were solved at the start of the competition and now we’re trying to find another one.”
Does not believe many players will come in. Couldn't tell us if one player would come in or not. In other words – Orta is dealing with it. #lufc https://t.co/iOPgE1x8v8
— Leeds United Live (@liveleedsunited) January 4, 2019
MB on transfers: "Samu Saiz left, Pablo now plays as a playmaker and we need a winger. The injury of Jamal Blackman has not been covered by another player. These are the two positions that were solved at the start of the competition and now we’re trying to find another one" #lufc
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) January 4, 2019
OPINION
Bielsa tends not to hold back in his press conferences and that was certainly the case today. He talked at great length for 40 minutes and as well as naming all 11 starters for the game against QPR on Sunday, he talked candidly about the team and transfers. He said that the Leeds side is a “Victor Orta side” and that he trusts Orta’s work. Quizzed about this he said that he hadn’t seen Orta in his life before the summer but that he created the team. He said that if the team fails then it’s the manager’s responsibility. He also hinted that Orta would be the person working behind the scenes to bring players into Elland Road in January. He struck a very different tone today as well, and from saying he didn’t need any players, he now seems to be acknowledging that a winger will be brought in on top of a keeper. That will be music to the ears of Leeds fans.