As well as having the disappointment of losing 3-0 against Everton in their latest Premier League match, Leeds United were also struck down with another injury worry when Stuart Dallas was forced off the pitch after just nine minutes played.
With the Yorkshire club already having the likes of Charlie Cresswell, Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford out with injuries and the fact that Dallas has played more minutes in the league this season than any other outfield player in Marcelo Bielsa’s squad, it’s safe to say that this would be a big disappointment for everyone if he’s going to be out of action for a significant period of time.
On the chalkboard
Looking ahead to the weekend and Leeds’ next league game against Manchester United at Elland Road, one player that Bielsa could turn to to fill in for Dallas if he isn’t fit enough to take on the Red Devils is Leo Hjelde.
Having replaced the 30-year-old in the early stages at Goodison Park, Hjelde managed to put in a solid display despite the ultimate result by racking up four tackles, three interceptions and two clearances while blocking two shots, winning six of the eight duels he was involved in and not getting dribbled past once.
This performance ultimately earned the 18-year-old a solid overall match rating of 7 according to SofaScore, higher than most other Leeds players on the day, showing that the teenager has what it takes to play in the Premier League at a respectable level of quality.
With that in mind, Hjelde, who has been described as a “physical” player in the past by Jermaine Beckford, could be an ideal alternative to Dallas to take on United if he’s not fit enough to play.
However, with the youngster ending up being forced off the pitch against Frank Lampard’s side in the late stages of the game with a suspected injury, it seems as though he could also be a doubt for the weekend.
Moving forward, despite his lack of consistent game time for the Whites this season, Bielsa should definitely consider starting the Norwegian at the weekend if he’s fit enough and Dallas isn’t to see if he can replicate the same sort of defensively strong display he showed last time out.
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