Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Lewis Baker will leave the Whites to return to Chelsea.
Baker became Bielsa’s first signing at Leeds when he joined on loan from the Blues, but the 23-year-old has struggled to make an impact this season.
Bielsa has revealed that Chelsea had an option of recalling him and the player chose to return. The Argentine said to the youngster that not only did he want him to stay at the club for the next six months, but for the next year as well.
“He had legitimate expectancy to play more and the last game he played in the FA Cup, for me he had a positive performance. It was a starting point for his development inside the team. But I can understand that he took a different decision.” #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) January 9, 2019
It clearly shows that Bielsa considered Baker as a valuable member of the team, despite his struggles. However, he is all set to leave the Yorkshire club, and will reportedly join Championship rivals Reading.
Bielsa also spoke about the need to bring in new players at the club in January. Leeds lost a few players in the last few weeks, and Bielsa has insisted that the club will sign players if they are better than what he has at his disposal.
Bielsa on incoming transfers: “First I’ll see what are the possibilities to bring in players – what kind of players the club can add to the team, and if they are better than the players we have. I can’t ignore the fact that we lost players in the last few weeks.”
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) January 9, 2019
Bielsa not prepared to expand any further on transfers. Says he’s said as much as he wants to say: “We’re lacking 10 players. If the club can bring in players, we’ll take them only if they are better than what we have. If nobody comes, we will solve the problem anyway.” #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) January 9, 2019
Leeds are top of the Championship table after 26 games. The Whites will be looking to bounce back sharply following three defeats in a row, when they take on Derby County on Friday at Elland Road.
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