OPINION
Leeds have been linked with a move for Fenerbahce striker Michael Frey, with the Yorkshire Evening Post claiming sources abroad had cited interest in the 24-year-old.
However, it looks like they’re going to have their work cut out to persuade him to make the move to Elland Road after the latest report.
Belgian outlet DH have reiterated that Bielsa is in the hunt for the striker but that Frey is worried about making the drop down to the second tier in England. The report goes on to say that top-flight Belgian side Genk are the favourites to land him in a £3.5million-deal, with Anderlecht lurking in the background.
There are three reasons why Frey should put aside any concerns about the Championship.
Firstly, it’s a big, tough league and it can put players on the map. A BBC report from 2018 stated it was the third most-watched league in European football.
It’s understandable that you might be wary of dropping down the divisions if you’ve played abroad, but the Championship is easily on a par with the Jupiler Pro League, where Genk and Anderlecht play.
The second reason that Frey should rethink is Marcelo Bielsa. Bielsa is a brilliant manager who sprinkled his magic dust over the Leeds squad last season and got the very best from a group of players who finished 13th in the 17/18 season.
He’s been hailed by Pep Guardiola as the best coach in the world and a player like Frey – 24-years-old, on the fringes of the Swiss national side and looking for a step up the football ladder – would definitely benefit from his tutelage.
The final reason Frey could be making a mistake is that Leeds only just missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season and they’re favourites to go up as champions next season.
There’s a whole lot of variables between now and next summer but it would be more-than-reasonable to see Leeds as a stepping stone into the Premier League for an ambitious player.
Leeds director of football Victor Orta should be making these points to Frey before he makes a big career mistake.