Many Leeds fans have taken to Twitter to react to Marcelo Bielsa’s remarks on captain Liam Cooper’s form following his excellent displays for Scotland during the recent international break.
Cooper starred for Steve Clarke’s Scotland side in the successive 2-0 victories against Moldova and Denmark as they secured a seeded World Cup qualifying play-off spot ahead of the 2022 version of the tournament in Qatar.
Speaking to Leeds Live. Bielsa praised the central defender for his consistency, while also highlighting that the 30-year-old has kept his place in the Leeds team for a number of years now.
Bielsa said: “The virtues he has and the characteristics have always been the same. The evolution has to do with the way he interprets his professional life.
“The opportunities he had and how he took advantage of them. He earned a place in his national team.
“He has kept his place in the team at Leeds for four seasons now. What he does to maintain himself and shine is what allows him to keep growing.”
Subsequently, after haring about Bielsa’s praise of his captain, many Leeds fans have taken to Twitter to react to the Argentinian’s remarks.
What did these Leeds fans make of Bielsa’s remarks on Liam Cooper’s form?
“And there’s actually folk out there that think he’s useless baffles me”
“Bielsa knows. Just ashamed some of our fans are clueless when it comes to Coops”
“Sorry but only thing that’s kept him in is injuries and pure stubborn loyalty”
“He’s a Leeds fan. Been picked to be captain by the players on 3 occasions. Gives everything he has when on the pitch. He is everything Leeds fans used to adore about a player. Not sure why we’ve lost that as a fanbase”
“Great captain, clubman and leader. But he’s had his fairly grim moments this season. He’s adequate. Not a starter when everyone is fit IMO”
During his spell at Elland Road since his move to the Yorkshire outfit from Chesterfield in 2014, Cooper has helped Leeds win promotion from the Championship and has now firmly established himself as Bielsa’s first choice centre-back in the Premier League.
Bielsa will be hoping Cooper can replicate his excellent international form at club level when they take on Antonio Conte’s Spurs side at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in the Premier League tomorrow, hoping the Scotsman can nullify the threats of the likes of Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son and Lucas Moura.