The more I think about this stat, the more impressive it becomes.
Especially when you consider the ‘Bielsa burnout’ effect that can happen on some players, for him to be able to get through all of that is quite a remarkable achievement.
Mateusz Klich is a player that can occasionally go under the radar somewhat. He doesn’t get the praise that someone like Ben White does for his work at the back, nor does he come under the intense levels of scrutiny that Patrick Bamford does for his ability in front of goal, he just carries on with his work.
And it’s those abilities to just get about his work that has played a huge part in him starting, not just playing in, 77 consecutive league and playoff games under Marcelo Bielsa, the only Leeds player to do so in the time span according to @LUFCData on Twitter. Needless to say, there were a number of Leeds fans who were as impressed with that statistic as I was, who flocked to social media to pass on their praise of the 29-year-old Pole.
77 consecutive league games??? JEEEEEEESUS that’s pretty impressive when was the last player to do that many?
— ALL LEEDS ALLDAY (@allday_leeds) January 29, 2020
You’ve also got to consider that he’s never received a ban in 77 games, which for a midfielder who gets involved is astounding.
— Michael Morgan🍷⚽🎸 (@HeikoMo) January 29, 2020
The player that nearly left when Bielsa came in. What a turnaround
— christopher leaning (@ginna10) January 29, 2020
And to think he was a fringe player before the stoke game when Bielsa first started. But an injury got him in the team and he’s been unplayable ever since
— Reece (@ReeceRex_) January 29, 2020
Could do with @Cli5hy lending me his lungs 😂 absolute machine!
— Tom Moss (@mossy743) January 29, 2020
and he’s just getting better and better. no doubts the prem teams will have their dabs on him if we manage to leeds this situation again.
— stevee. (@stevee444) January 29, 2020
He also doesn’t get international breaks like some of the squad. He’s usually with the National Squad. Incredible fact
— ᗰᗩᖇTIᑎ ᔕᕼᗩᑎᗪ (@mirts88) January 29, 2020
What’s even more crazy about Klich he apparently wasn’t good enough when first joined but now he hasnt missed a game hmm
— Ryan Rogers (@ryanrogers19) January 30, 2020
Is Klich in contention to be our player of the year?
Yes
No
I wonder how long he’ll be able to keep this run going. More importantly, now that people have mentioned it, hopefully that won’t jinx it.