Marcelo Bielsa has had a ruthless approach with his Leeds United squad since his arrival in England, and this summer has been no different, with players outcast and still not part of the Argentine’s plans.
Leeds kick-off their Championship season this weekend against Bristol City, and minus Pontus Jansson, and plus Ben White and Helder Costa, Bielsa’s squad will have a very familiar look to it.
Amongst those not to be involved will be Vurnon Anita, with Football Insider noting that he’s been frozen out by Bielsa after a move to Panathinaikos failed to materialise.
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Anita, 30, made 18 appearances in his first year with Leeds, but wasn’t part of Bielsa’s plans last season, heading out to Willem II on a season-long loan where he featured in 27 league fixtures.
After a successful spell at Newcastle prior to his Elland Road switch, some may feel Anita would’ve had a bigger impact in Leeds, but if Bielsa has his way, that career in West Yorkshire might be over.
Here are three reasons why Bielsa’s stance is the right one…
Anita did little to impress at Leeds
The 2017/18 campaign was one to forget for Leeds as they slumped to mid-table under Paul Heckingbottom despite a promising start under Thomas Christiansen.
And, within that season, Anita didn’t impress at right-back or left-back, with the 30-year-old vulnerable in defence and not offering much going forward – reflected in zero goals and zero assists.
Bielsa saw nothing that suggested to him Anita would be of use, and he hasn’t in the Dutchman’s loan spell back in Holland.
Competition for places
Anita is a central midfielder, who can fill in at full-back.
Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich and Adam Forshaw head Leeds’ options in midfield, with a host of talented young players waiting in the wings.
In terms of full-backs, Leeds have Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas and Gaetano Berardi on the right, with Barry Douglas and Ezgjan Alioski for the left. And, in addition, have a host of talented youngsters in both positions.
That’s a lot of bodies to be carrying, and having Anita around only blocks the path of the younger players.
It’s his preference for a smaller squad
A trimmed squad is Bielsa’s preference, and the Argentine doesn’t want to carry players.
Anita wouldn’t get minutes at Leeds, and if he stayed for 12 more months, it’d be a surprise to see him get into double figures in terms of appearances.
In Bielsa’s eyes, there’s no need to have him around for that, others can do his job.