Morning Leeds-in for 2 January: Marcelo Bielsa insists there is no problem in defence

Hoo boy.

Marcelo Bielsa has forgotten more about football than I’ll ever know, but really? No problem in defence?

Part of me really wants to believe that Bielsa is just like this in press conferences because he isn’t the type of manager who airs dirty laundry in the press. I’m sure he’s more than willing to let a player know if they screw up or if a performance isn’t good enough, but it’s rare for him to say anything in public. He said earlier in the season that he would have dropped Bailey Peacock-Farrell if Jamal Blackman hadn’t gotten hurt, but that’s been about the only time he’s commented negatively on a player.

He said before the season that their wouldn’t be very many players incoming, but there were a number of loans for players who were brought in to compete for first-team football, so perhaps all of his statements about no new players are him just playing things close to the vest.

Either that or Bielsa doesn’t like central defenders and won’t get any, no matter if it means that Jamie Shackleton and Kemar Roofe have to line up back there.

On to the links.

Leeds United Links

Three things we learned from the defeat at Nottingham Forest. [Through It All Together]

Jack rated the players. [Through It All Together]

Recap of the loss. [Through It All Together]

Is this finally the season for Leeds? [Through It All Together]

Could Conor Shaughnessy be in for a move to Hearts? [Through It All Together]

England and English Football Links

Everton’s Mason Holgate is headed to West Bromwich Albion on loan. [Royal Blue Mersey]

Leicester City beat Everton 1-0. [Fosse Posse]

World Football Links

Permanent deals for both Gonzalo Higuain and Tiemoue Bakayoko should be the priority for AC Milan. [AC Milan Offside]

Despite reported interest from Milan, Fiorentina were able to land Luis Muriel on loan from Sevilla. [Calciomercato.com]