The Athletic’s Phil Hay has provided the Leeds United faithful with an update on Jean-Kevin Augustin in his recent Q&A session. He was asked whether he had reached out to the centre-forward by a supporter who went on to say he would be ‘fascinated to hear how he is approaching this’ enforced break both mentally and physically.
The 22-year-old has been limited to just three appearances in the Championship since arriving at Elland Road from RB Leipzig at the end of January. The player has struggled to make an impact since his arrival and according to Marcelo Bielsa, the club wouldn’t have been able to sign a player of his calibre without there being a problem to resolve – in this case, his lack of fitness.
TIF Tactics – If the Championship returns can Augustin help Leeds secure promotion?
According to Hay, the £8.55m-rated Frenchman has been ‘pushing himself hard through the lockdown and is now at a stage where he could take part in full first-team training’. That update, in our view, will come as a huge boost to those hoping the Championship will return and Leeds can push for a place back in the Premier League.
Can Jean-Kevin Augustin have a positive impact for Leeds if the season resumes?
Yes
No
The Whites were relegated at the end of the 2003/04 season and haven’t been in the top flight since. If play resumes, having Augustin available to provide support to Patrick Bamford could prove key. Bamford has faced criticism for netting just 13 times in 36 league appearances (via Transfermarkt.co.uk), however, with the on-loan striker not being deemed fit enough, you could argue the 64-year-old coach hasn’t had much choice but to persist with the 26-year-old.
That is not to say Bamford isn’t highly-appreciated by Bielsa, he clearly brings more to the table than just scoring goals, hence why he has started 95% of the Whites’ league fixtures so far.