Journalist Lee Sobot has claimed that Leo Hjelde is a ‘strong option’ to start at left-back for Leeds United.
Jesse Marsch was already short on potential options at left-back heading into the new season, with Stuart Dallas set to remain on the sidelines for at least a few months following a serious injury he picked up last campaign.
However, things got a whole lot worse during pre-season as Junior Firpo, his only senior option with Premier League experience at left-back, picked up a hamstring injury which will see him miss at least eight weeks.
Therefore, who will start at left-back against Wolves on the opening day of the season remains unclear, although Sobot believes 18-year-old Hjelde could be in with a shout.
Who would you rather start for Leeds?
Davis!
Hjelde!
Writing in the Yorkshire Evening Post, he said: “Leif Davis would appear to be the most natural of those [left-back] options and Marsch has admitted himself that the 22-year-old is more or less on trial for the role upon his return from last season’s loan spell at Bournemouth and now Firpo’s injury.
“But very exciting 18-year-old Leo Hjelde is another strong option in the position, even if there is a suspicion that the Norwegian youth international is seen at his very best at centre-back.”
TIF Thoughts on Leeds’ left-back options…
While Hjelde may well be an exciting option for Leeds, he’s only played 226 minutes worth of first-team action since he joined last summer from Celtic, where he ended up failing to make a first-team appearance.
So for Marsch to ask him to step in and fill the gap left by Firpo against Premier League opposition would be a very risky and left-field decision.
And with Davis since leaving for Ipswich Town, perhaps Sobot’s hunch will turn out to be correct.
Leif has been sold so Hjede may have to play …. why isn’t Orta’s team sourcing a new LB are they going to wait until December before they realise the obvious fact that we need a new singing now?