Talk about trying to burst someone’s bubble.
With Tuesday night’s victory over Hull City leaving Leeds United top of the table and eleven points clear of Fulham in third place, it would take some kind of miracle for Leeds to throw away promotion this season. Although after last season, it’s probably even too early to say something like that despite the commanding lead.
Whatever division Marcelo Bielsa’s men find themselves in next season though, there’s one man who might not be around to enjoy it according to former player Noel Whelan.
Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan believed that Barry Douglas’ place in the team is not only in jeopardy for this campaign, but if he doesn’t change soon, he could find himself out of Elland Road altogether next summer:
“He is behind Alioski and Dallas at left-back. He’s on the bench at the minute and will remain so. It’s a massive come down for Barry Douglas, who we all expected to be a key man. Marcelo Bielsa wants his full-backs to play like wing-backs, and Douglas has to become that type of player to get in the side. I’m not sure he will be at Leeds next season. He has two players in front of him in his position, and he’s not going to get the nod if we’re in the Premier League. I can see him going.”
Which I feel is a little bit harsh, because whilst he might be down the pecking order, that doesn’t mean that he’s going to be no use to the team going forward. As Whelan says, Douglas is more of a full-back than a wing-back, but there may come a time when Bielsa will want a more defensive-minded player to play left-back, like when he feels the team might be a bit under the cosh from the opposition.
Does Douglas Have A Future At Leeds Now?
Yes
No
Or if he wants to rotate players given the hectic schedule that Leeds are going to face in the next couple of weeks. So to instantly dismiss him and say that his time at the club is over seems pretty harsh to me.