Marcelo Bielsa has labelled Samu Saiz as a special player, piling the praise on Leeds United’s playmaker ahead of the weekend’s trip to Derby County.

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Saiz was influential at Elland Road on Sunday, as Leeds put Stoke City to the sword on the opening day of the Sky Bet Championship season.

The Spanish playmaker, who finished last season with five goals and seven assists in the Championship, assisted Mateusz Klich for Leeds’ opening goal and played a central role throughout, as the Whites made short work of the division’s title favourites.

Bielsa has moved to discuss the 27-year-old Spaniard ahead of Leeds’ trip to Derby this weekend, with Phil Hay from the Yorkshire Evening Post reporting the special praise the Argentinian has for Saiz:

Leeds and Saiz head to Derby on Saturday evening for a clash with Frank Lampard’s side.

Bielsa is expected to name an unchanged line-up at Pride Park, but will have to make a change amongst his substitutes, with Stuart Dallas suffering a quad injury, which is expected to keep him on the sidelines in the coming weeks.

The Verdict

Saiz was magnificent last weekend for Leeds, with his piece of impressive play early on setting Klich up for the game’s opening goal.

That moment swung the momentum well into Leeds’ favour, with the Whites comfortable from then on.

If the 27-year-old can keep up that level of form, Leeds will continue to shine.

Leeds fans… Let us know your thoughts!