Marcelo Bielsa Discusses Dominic Calvert-Lewin Amid Leeds United Return Speculation
Speculation surrounding Marcelo Bielsa’s future with the Uruguay national team has intensified recently. His potential departure from this role may open the door for a return to Leeds United. Current Leeds manager, Daniel Farke, is facing a challenging period, having lost four of his last five Premier League matches.
Current Situation for Bielsa and Leeds United
Bielsa’s time with Uruguay was marred by a disappointing 5-1 defeat to Mauricio Pochettino’s team in a recent match against the United States. Reports indicate that Bielsa might be at risk of being sacked after securing only five wins in his last 18 games. With Leeds United also struggling under Farke, the possibility of a managerial change appears to be on the horizon.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s Role in the Speculation
If Bielsa were to return to Leeds, he would likely be eager to work with striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Bielsa previously praised the England international during the 2020/21 season. After a match where Leeds defeated Everton 1-0, Bielsa noted the challenges his team faced in neutralizing Calvert-Lewin’s threat.
- Bielsa highlighted the efforts of his center-backs and the entire team in managing Calvert-Lewin’s chances.
- In the 2020/21 season, Calvert-Lewin scored an impressive 21 goals in 39 appearances for Everton.
Despite the struggles under Farke, Calvert-Lewin has the potential to thrive under Bielsa’s guidance. The striker has only managed one goal in nine Premier League games this season. However, Bielsa’s ability to revitalize players is evident from his past success with Patrick Bamford.
Bielsa’s Impact on Strikers
During his tenure at Leeds, Bielsa transformed Bamford into a prolific scorer. Bamford recorded 17 goals along with nine assists in 38 appearances during the same season. This was a significant turnaround for a player who had previously struggled to make an impact at several clubs, including Chelsea, Crystal Palace, and Norwich.
Given Bielsa’s track record of enhancing player performance, a return to Leeds could be just what Calvert-Lewin needs to rediscover his goal-scoring touch.
