Conor McGilligan believes that Mateusz Klich’s performance against Elche was a “swansong” display and that the club must evolve.
Klich bagged a late winner for Leeds as they came from behind against Elche in Spain as their Premier League return gathers momentum.
The 32-year-old has become a modern-day icon at Elland Road with his 192 club appearances bringing 24 goals and 21 assists, along with a starring role in the promotion-winning campaign of 2019/20.
But McGilligan spoke on his YouTube channel about how the club must move on from players such as Klich if they are to build a successful side capable of doing more than just surviving in the Premier League.
“It did feel a little bit like Mateusz Klich’s swansong, thank you Mateusz for the years of service, 32 years of age, numerous clubs apparently looking at him now and it is time to go.”
“It’s got to that point now where he’s 32 years of age, as I say, we’re not Charity FC, we need to evolve as a football club, we need to progress as a football club,” McGilligan said.
TIF Thoughts on McGilligan’s comments…
Klich has been a useful squad player this season for Jesse Marsch with him making 11 Premier League appearances.
However, he’s yet to start a single one and didn’t appear in the final three league games before the World Cup, his 6.14 average league rating from WhoScored is the second lowest in the Leeds squad for players to feature more than one minute.
Klich’s reportedly close to a move to DC United in the MLS which will see the 41-capped Polish international draw a close to four and a half years in Yorkshire and potentially the start of a mass exodus of fringe players.
It does seem as if a busy January window is set to come for the Whites with plenty of deadwood from their Championship campaigns still at the club and playing a minimal role at most.
And it is apparent McGilligan is desperate to see Victor Orta dispose of players like Klich and reinvest to boost Marsch’s options.
While I agree in principle I also think Klitch is not the worst player remaining at Elland road. Three of the back four are nowhere near premiership quality at least Klitch would be an added layer of defense. The only competitive area we have is midfield, shitty strikers and a terrible defensive line is what is going to cost us, eventually putting us into the relegation battle and another lifetime of championship football. If we don’t have the money to buy good players we need to use the great young players, if not we are going to see them leave anyway . Just look at Cody Drameth ( best fullback but will be lost so we can keep 2nd rate player’s