Lots of Leeds United fans have been lauding Mateusz Klich on social media for his performance against West Bromwich Albion on New Year’s Day, after LUFC Data shared a selection of the midfielder’s stats from the 1-1 draw.
Boss Marcelo Bielsa opted against handing the Poland international a rare break when we travelled to the Hawthorns on Wednesday evening, by instead keeping Klich in the starting line-up for the 26th straight Championship fixture.
The 29-year-old would end the match with a game-high number of ball recoveries, take-ons and successful attacking third passes, while also recording the fourth-most touches of the ball of any player who featured for either side.
Klich registered 13 ball recoveries at the Hawthorns, along with three successful take-ons, 25 accurate final third passes from 32, and recorded 64 touches – only Luke Ayling (95), Ben White (72) and Liam Cooper (67) penned more.
Who was your Man of the Match vs WBA?
White
Bamford
Klich
Other
As well as leading in three categories and ranking fourth for touches, Klich also created two chances to beat Sam Johnstone, took one shot, made two successful tackles from three challenges and completed 42 of his total 53 passes, per WhoScored figures.
The £2.25million-rated ace won seven of his nine ground duels, as well, but lost possession 11 times, committed one foul, was dribbled past once and lost his only aerial duel, according to statistics collected by Sofa Score.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to LUFC Data’s stats on Klich’s performance against West Brom on New Year’s Day…
Thought he was outstanding tonight. So calm on the ball.
— Jonathon Sloan (@JSloan1995) January 1, 2020
Absolute class tonight.
— Jonny Bradbourne (@BradbourneJonny) January 1, 2020
Fantastic player every week. Class above most in the league
— Dean Stephenson (@_LockSolutions) January 1, 2020
Very good today. Mateusz Klich. Back to his best #lufc #MOT
— Marc F 💙💛 (@billywigwam13) January 1, 2020
My man of the match tonight. Bamford made the obvious impact and Harrison and Dallas didn’t stop working either but Klich did all the running and linked up well too, back to his best.
— Shaun (@LUFC1992_) January 1, 2020
Back to his best plus Douglas back at lb , pablo back in 2 weeks..looking good 👏
— Richard Nicholson (@ricmarknic) January 1, 2020
This player is so under-rated.
— We’re On Our Way! (@WeAreOnOurWay2) January 1, 2020
Best central midfielder in the league 👍
— Rich Davies (@richd0871) January 1, 2020
And helped create a bolted on goal for himself if only he’d received a pass from Pat at the death. Great performance all round tonight.
— Reginald Glovebox Ⓥ (@RGlovebox) January 1, 2020
In other Leeds United news, the club’s rumoured plans to sign a £1.8m-rated striker have taken a dent following an update from his manager.