Brighton v Leeds United - Marcelo Bielsa press conference every word, Whites boss makes salary admission and fronts up to worrying position

"No. I decided for McCarron and McKinstry."

“I think at Leeds his natural position will be a defensive mid, that is the place where you most see Kalvin’s qualities and of course I will attempt that or try that he plays the majority of his minutes in that position. Our best player in the game against Tottenham, he was our best player in the moments that corresponded with him playing alongside Cooper and Llorente following Kane when he dropped deep. We had talked about that we thought that he was the best of who could adapt to Kane to drop deep and it was Phillips. It is a method that is very clear in Tottenham, Kane drops and Kane does the diagonal from the left to the centre and we solved that with Philips and Llorente paired up and with those two players and with Cooper waiting as a free man. That worked very well and nothing that allows a player to shine should result in it being uncomfortable for him. Now from my point of view, the best of Phillips, you will find it when he plays in the middle of the pitch. With respect to his position in the national team, it doesn’t correspond for me to have an opinion.”

“There is two ways to see it. One of them is that we are avoiding being in the bottom three. I don’t hide that or try to shy away from it, it is the reality that we have to face and it’s the situation that we need to avoid. The results that we have obtained up until now are those that position us in the table where are, after there is the performances and what you deserve. The performances in the last period have been improving and what we deserved allow us to think that we should have a few more points. I don’t ignore the reality and I always fight to reverse a negative moment/period.”

“Bamford has an injury in his ankle, it has been a serious injury and the evolution changes. That’s why his definitive recovery is extended. Koch had to go for surgery and the terms of his recovery are what was expected. you can’t be absolutely precise and that’s why I always say it is subject to the evolution, depending on how it goes whilst they recovery.”

“Ayling will probably be able to play with the under 23s on Monday as he is healthy now, Shackleton is also healthy, Raphinha and Rodrigo are also available. The ones who are finishing their periods of recovery are Koch and Bamford.” (the answer broke up a bit so Marcelo repeats) “Shackleton is available, Raphinha is available, Rodrigo is available, Ayling is healthy, it’s lkely that he will play with the under-23s on Monday as a further step to his total recovery, the only two players that are are in the final period of their recovery is Koch and Bamford.”

Marcelo takes his seat

Members of the press are gathering via Zoom and we will be hearing from Marcelo at 1pm. Hopefully some good news on the injuries front.

Marcelo Bielsa will be speaking to the media at 1pm today ahead of Saturday’s clash at Brighton and we will bring you everything that is said here.