Tom Pearce may not have a future at Leeds United after struggling to win over Marcelo Bielsa, according to Phil Hay.
Speaking to the latest edition of the Inside Elland Road podcast (8:50), the Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent is unconvinced about the long-term prospects of the left-back following his deadline-day loan to Scunthorpe United.
“He doesn’t seem to be fitting under Bielsa,” said Hay. “He had an injury to his foot before Christmas. He’s obviously been kept out of the side by Douglas and Alioski but you tend to get a sense with Bielsa, as you did with Lewis Baker, whether or not he really sees these players as capable of making an impact.
“Pearce has been so peripheral I suspect he’ll get an awful lot more out of a few months at Scunthorpe and League One than staying at Leeds.”
OPINION
Pearce was persuaded to sign a four-year Leeds deal last summer after rejecting interest from Premier League clubs. He may now be regretting that decision. The Ormskirk-born youngster established himself in the first team during the end of Paul Heckingbottom’s short reign, but has barely featured under Bielsa despite the never-ending injury list that has robbed the manager of so many defenders on so many occasions. It is telling that Pearce, 20, has been used at both left-back and on the left wing for the Under-23s, proof that the coaching staff are unsure where his best position is. The youngster has plenty of time on his side, but he should be concerned that Bielsa has not been won over. The manager’s faith in the club’s rising stars has been unwavering this season, and it will require an excellent loan spell at Scunthorpe for Pearce to get back in contention for a Leeds place.