OPINION
Leeds United’s failure to replace Samuel Saiz in the January window is starting to bite. Marcelo Bielsa has done wonders with a squad that actually lost two attacking midfielders last month – the feted Spaniard and Chelsea loanee Lewis Baker. Bielsa wanted both to stay, and the late collapse of the Daniel James deal, coupled with Izzy Brown’s difficulties in getting up to speed after a 13-month lay-off, mean his options for the central playmaking role are limited. Bielsa prefers the brilliant Pablo Hernandez to dictate the play from out wide, while the likes of Tyler Roberts and Mateusz Klich are not suited to setting the rhythm of the team’s play. One man who would be was on the opposition team on Tuesday night as Leeds slumped to a 1-0 defeat to QPR at Loftus Road. The outstanding player on the pitch was creative midfielder Luke Freeman, who ran the game and scored it’s only goal in the second half. Many Leeds supporters are now calling on their club to sign the “sensational” 26-year-old, claiming he would be the “ideal replacement for Saiz”.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
Great player, saying a year ago we should sign him
— Love Affair Since 1992 (@Buybeckford) February 26, 2019
I’d look at signing Eze and Freeman next season, Freeman especially if we don’t go up #lufc
— Ryan (@RPlufc93) February 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/Chrislufc87/status/1100760544481603586
https://twitter.com/JoshAHobbs/status/1100760769380184067
Luke Freeman reminded me of a certain Samu Saiz. How we could do with him right now! #lufc
— Tom (@TWRaff) February 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/hobsterlobster/status/1100815461615370241
Freeman the exact player we are missing, we were always gonna pay for not replacing Saiz
— Jesus (@TRMT1919) February 26, 2019
Freeman was excellent. We just couldn't get near him at times.
— Jay (@BalticBulldog) February 27, 2019
Should have gone and got that Freeman to replace saiz very decent in this league
— Danieljamesrose (@danieljamesros2) February 26, 2019