Respected Leeds United journalist Phil Hay has gushed over Mateusz Klich in a recent Q&A for The Athletic, in which he suggested the “unique” Polish ace often flies under the radar at Elland Road.
Hay had focused the Q&A to discuss whom supporters considered to be their Whites Player of the Season, and noted in response to one fan how you can miss out on what Klich offers when watching a match but by watching Klich, you see the entire match as it unfolds.
Klich has started all 37 of our league games this term, with Ben White, Jack Harrison and Stuart Dallas the only other players Marcelo Bielsa has favoured as much as the 23-cap star.
Hay still considers it to be “incredible” that Klich is such an integral aspect of the boss’ plans in West Yorkshire, given the midfielder was cast off by Thomas Christiansen and sent out on loan to FC Utrecht after playing just 10 times for United across all competitions following his arrival in 2017.
“Watch the game, don’t see Klich. Watch Klich, see the whole game,” Hay noted. “I know what he means.
“He’s quite a unique player in the way that he works. He’s not someone who carries the ball over great distances and he likes to dictate play with short, sharp passing.
“It’s still incredible to think that he was out on his ear under Christiansen but when I went to see Klich’s parents in February, they said that when he went on loan to Holland, he told Victor Orta that he’d definitely be back. And would definitely make an impact at Elland Road.”
Who has been your Player of the Season?
Klich
Dallas
Phillips
White
Klich certainly has lived up to his word under Bielsa, with the Poland international yet to miss a starting line-up of a Championship fixture under the Argentine.
Fans are also clearly appreciative of what Klich is capable of when on the field, even if his efforts can sometimes go under the radar, with one supporter recently describing the 29-year-old as one part of the ‘brothers of destruction’ alongside Kalvin Phillips.
Leeds securing our long-awaited return to the Premier League this season would be a welcome reward for Klich and his efforts, even if some – including Adam Forshaw – suggest others as the club’s Player of the Season.
Klich has scored and assisted four goals respectively in the Championship this season, while Sofa Score have recorded him as creating nine big chances for teammates to score, plus 69 key balls, 1,833 total passes, 645 accurate final third passes, won 125 ground duels (46%) and 25 aerial duels (56%).
In other Leeds United news, a Marcelo Bielsa mainstay has backed the English Football League to make a “very painful” decision.