It is time for reflection at Leeds United, as the Whites look to get over the disappointment of missing out on promotion from the Championship.  

Leeds were in contention for the top-two all the way to Easter, but they then suffered a heart breaking 4-3 aggregate defeat to Derby County last week to end their Premier League dream.

Nevertheless, it was a hugely successful season under Marcelo Bielsa, with players thriving all over the pitch.

[ad_pod ]

Amongst the biggest success stories has to be Mateusz Klich, whose Elland Road career did a full 360. After the Polish midfielder was frozen out under Thomas Christiansen last season, it looked like he might depart, but Bielsa threw him a lifeline, which Klich grabbed.

The 28-year-old was involved in 19 goals over the course of the season, finding the back of the net on 10 occasions and assisting a further nine. There were spectacular strikes against the likes of Derby and Sheffield Wednesday earlier in the campaign, whilst Klich was involved in that extremely controversial goal in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

Victor Orta was the man that brought Klich to England in the summer of 2017, with the Polish international one of his first signings following his appointment as director of football.

As stated, Klich’s first season in Leeds was a flop, but now, a £1.5m transfer fee looks a steal for a big contribution in midfield.

That fee is quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post in an article looking at all of Orta’s signings since arriving in Leeds, and that report doesn’t make great reading for Andrea Radrizzani’s right-hand man.

Included are flops like Jay-Roy Grot, Caleb Ekuban, Pawel Cibicki and Laurens De Bock, with a high percentage of Orta’s signings not having the impact Klich and others have had.

Of course, Klich would’ve fallen into that category alongside Grot and Ekuban this time 12 months ago, but he’s turned his Elland Road career around and right now, is one of Orta’s only success stories.

As we reflect on the season, many at Leeds will be hoping that one of those currently out on loan that is written off as a flop will return to ‘do a Klich’ in 2019/20, probably none more so than Orta himself.

However, the chance of that happening two years on the bounce is unlikely, and Orta’s recruitment is going to have to be better if Leeds are going to go one better in the Championship next season.

But, that is all to come, and for now, you’ve got to applaud Klich for his contribution in a successful, yet gutting, campaign.