Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa has revealed his initial reluctance to sanction the sale of Clarke Odour to Barnsley for an undisclosed fee, as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The versatile youngster’s exit caught some Whites supporters by surprise on Deadline Day, as he had been heavily involved in the club’s pre-season schedule after securing a seat on the plane to Australia last month.
His efforts under Carlos Corberan with the Under 23s often stood out, as well, but senior minutes were hard to come, and he left West Yorkshire for South having only played three minutes of first-team football with United, coming in his debut against QPR in the FA Cup back in January.
Bielsa, though, had Odour in his plans for this season, as he saw the benefits the Kenya-born left-back’s versatility could offer him on our left channel, as the 20-year-old can play in midfield.
But the boss put Odour’s career ahead of his plans, as the defender wanted to accept the new challenge a move to Oakwell presented.
“We had an expectation for Clarke Oduor,” the Argentine said. “He’s a player who can play as a left-back, as a number eight or as a winger.
“At the same time, in the same position, he had in front of him [Barry] Douglas, [Ezgjan] Alioski, [Leif] Davis, [Jack] Harrison, [Helder] Costa and [Jack] Clarke. So he would’ve been fighting with these players to play in two positions. The easier thing for me would’ve been to keep the player here.
“But, if I did this, it would be because I am only thinking about myself, because I know he has six players in front of him. He wanted to take advantage of the opportunity that he had. We have similar young players, who are in a similar situation that Oduor was in, but they preferred to continue here.
“It’s a similar situation, but resolved in another way. It’s important for us to know the desire of the player.”