Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa is a “huge admirer” of Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney, according to Football Insider.
It is claimed that Bielsa regards the £13.5million-rated playmaker as one of the Championship’s most outstanding talents, as well as seeing the 28-year-old Scot as the best for his position in the second-tier.
Cairney has started each of his 17 appearances in the league this term, having sat out Fulham’s 1-0 win at Birmingham City through illness, and has frequently been amongst the goals while wearing the captain’s armband at Craven Cottage, with six strikes of his own and three assists.
The two-time international struggled to display this sort of form as the Cottagers plummeted out of the Premier League at the first time of asking last term, with Cairney only able to notch one goal and one assist in 31 top-flight outings.
Bielsa is adamant that Cairney has what it takes to cut it at the highest level of English domestic football, though, and has grown to adore what the 6ft ace can achieve.
The boss is said to particularly like Cairney’s ability to react quickly to the events unfolding on the pitch, as well as his passing range, inventiveness, ability to operate in tight spaces and his general technical skills.
It is not suggested that a move to sign Cairney will be forthcoming, but the level of praise claimed could imply that Bielsa will request Cairney’s services should we secure promotion into the Premier League this season.
Would you sign Cairney if we secure promotion?
Yes, absolutely
No, he isn't good enough
Signing Cairney would add a top creator to Bielsa’s ranks, as the £40,000-per-week playmaker has fashioned four big chances in the Championship this season, and is currently averaging 2.1 key balls, 33.4 passes in the opposition half and 1.0 shots per game, according to data collected by Sofa Score.
Cairney’s numbers would rank second among the players Bielsa has used in the second-tier so far this season for big chances made, as Jack Harrison has recorded six.
The Fulham ace would also rank joint-second for key passes as his 36 is the same as Kalvin Phillips but three shy of Mateusz Klich, while Cairney’s 567 accurate passes in the oppositions’ half is 105 more than Klich has recorded, who tops the chart for the Whites.
Cairney is also averaging 0.7 interceptions, 1.5 tackles and 0.3 clearances per game, but is losing possession 11.0 times per game and wins 55.5% of his ground duels.