With Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa confirming this week that Patrick Bamford was now ready to start from the opening whistle should he chose to include him, on-loan Chelsea starlet Izzy Brown is not going to be thrown in just yet.
Bamford’s rehabilitation has gone well and he hit a hattrick in the recent Under 23 clash, but Brown’s own performance in that game (with a goal) left a number of fans wondering if he’d now come into first team contention, but meeting with the media this week ahead of the weekend’s clash against Bolton Wanderers, Bielsa explained that somebody with Brown’s style of play needed far more conditioning and strength before he could be leant on.
Bielsa said Bamford is ready to start or be on the bench now but still doesn't feel Brown is ready for the bench. Says a player with his style of play needs to have the right strength and conditioning first. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) December 13, 2018
Given the length of time that the 21-year-old has been out of the game on the sidelines, it makes all the sense in the world to not rush him back into action until we are sure he’s 100% right as we don’t want him suffering a breakdown and spending longer in the medical department.
Plenty of Leeds fans were on board with that as they reacted to Bielsa’s comment on social media.
Tbf he hasn't played a competitive game for almost a year
— ZL (@SupremeJansson) December 13, 2018
No need to rush brown. Will be huge when he’s fully fit
— Marreta Santos fan account (@Backagain28) December 13, 2018
He's made being an LUFC supporter a 24 hour seven days a week bundle of positivity again. Every day I get up feeling like it's the greatest time ever, since the Don, to be a fan. He just makes you think we're going to win every game, and if we don't, he makes it feel not too bad
— graham briggs (@grahambriggs15) December 14, 2018
Phillip, please tell Marcelo that I love him dearly. Thanks
— Ned Gonad (@RealDanOgden) December 13, 2018
You’ve got to love MB’s transparency of vision.
— peps (@pepper_rafa) December 13, 2018
Am I right in thinking that we aren’t paying towards Izzy brown until he’s back involved with the first team? Is this the reason they are trying to make sure he’s 100% ready?
— Phil Holt (@PhilHoltXIV) December 13, 2018
And yes, financially, we don’t pay a penny I believe so it makes sense on that front as well although granted some will overly read into that.