Speaking recently on a video posted on the Leeds United Live Facebook page, Beren Cross claimed that he doesn’t believe Diego Llorente will start against Frank Lampard’s Chelsea this weekend.
Since making an £18 million move to Leeds from Real Sociedad back in September, and despite the fact he has featured on the bench for Leeds this season, Llorente has yet to make his debut for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, largely down to a groin strain.
However, although it has been reported the defender is gradually getting over his injury, Cross, who was speaking on a video posted on Facebook by Leeds United Live, stated that he does not think the 27-year-old will start in the club’s Premier League fixture against Chelsea this Saturday.
He said: “Marcelo said last week that Pablo [Hernandez], Diego and Jamie [Shackleton] are all close, but not quite there. So, I mean, it’s the same language we’ve heard with [Adam] Forshaw, and look at Forshaw now.
“So, I think Leeds fans are always going to be a little bit sceptical about long-term injured players, but, taking Bielsa at face value, those three have got a very, very good chance, but I wouldn’t expect any of them to start.”
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TIF Thoughts on Beren Cross’ comments regarding Diego Llorente’s return from injury…
From Cross’ comments, it is clear that the journalist is not of the belief that Llorente – or Hernandez or Shackleton – is in line for a start at the weekend.
This is likely to be disappointing news for Leeds fans, as, after seeing their club spend a large sum of money on the centre-back, they are still waiting to see the £18 million-rated defender playing in their club’s colours.
However, Bielsa has at least stated that Llorente, along with Shackleton and Hernandez, is close to making a return to full fitness, which, hopefully for Leeds fans, means that the 27-year-old could get on the pitch for Leeds sooner rather than later.