Well, it’s true that Bielsa knew how to use him and that might have flattered him. But when he played for England I don’t recall the reviews being bad. And yes, ruined, because he was a bench warmer at City rather than a key player playing every game with us. Unfortunately he seemed not to keep himself in top top shape once he had the lottery win contract, so that compounded things.
He is like a lot of our ex Bielsa players. Bielsas success came at an awful price. Cooper knackered from injuries, Dallas, Bamford, Philips all the same. Bamford even mentioned the strain the murder ball etc put on the players. Brought them to new heights but they're paying the price now
This leads me to think we will get more mileage out of our players under Farke. No player looked burnt out end of the season. I do not think we will sign any known top players. Marathe has set out to bring in to develop younger players. Bielsa to me burnt out his tiny squad and just repeated the same style till he self destructed.
This is often said about Bielsa’s training and the toll on the players but does anyone know if this was a pattern at all the clubs he managed or just at Leeds? They maybe paying a price now but they also have far more money than their individual talents would have earned if Bielsa hadn’t joined, there was little previous evidence that squad could have got promoted.
I could be wrong but don't think he spent any great length of time at any club compared to Leeds so didn't have the time to make the same impact
Probably not but there were others like Roberts who were constantly having treatment. Probably more Ive forgotten. None of them have gone on to do anything in their careers
complex guy Bielsa. Gave Villa a goal back out of fair play. But thought spying on the opposition to get an advantage was ok. He was kind to the dinner ladies and polite and courteous to the public but treated his translator like dirt. He made the players eat lettuce whilst he ate McDonalds. He's admitted to suicidal thoughts after bad football results. He knew his methods took its toll and increased injury risk on players. He always shouldered responsibility for performances and didn't apportion blame. The players revere him for his genius (no doubt helped by the trappings of wealth he helped deliver for them) but also recognise the mental and physical stress took its toll. My personal view on him (and that's all it is) is that he had a belief in his ideology on football. That was his life. Everything that he did, good and bad was to prove that theory. So no stone unturned, no corner cut, and no concerns over colateral damage. On the spectrum but still loved him. Sorry, No football, no transfers, bored!
