Former Manchester City winger Ian Poveda on 'unreal' Leeds United scenes and the Marcelo Bielsa effect

A nimble winger whose natural game looked to be bursting by defenders at speed, Poveda has been undergoing tuition on the training pitches at Thorp Arch to add strings to his bow.

Marcelo Bielsa and his system cannot abide one-trick ponies and every player must be able to do both sides of the game well, contributing to attacks carried out at pace and defending intelligently and doggedly until the ball is back in their possession.

We first saw January recruit Poveda in Championship action in June, on that day in Cardiff that brought a resumption of both the domestic season and the frayed nerves of the Leeds United support.

He came off the bench against the Blues late on and wasn’t able to help Leeds prevent a 2-0 defeat.

There were more minutes that came late in a win over Fulham that resumed normal service in a footballing sense and calmed everyone down a little.

And in July, with promotion and the league title won, Poveda was given his first start by Bielsa.

By the time he walked out into Derby County’s guard of honour at Pride Park, Poveda had walked on air with the rest of his Leeds team-mates, experiencing just how good life at Elland Road can be when you bring success to the fans.

He played a full part in the celebrations at the stadium but admits it was surreal.

“It was unreal,” he said.

“I can’t really explain how it was. It was as if I was in a dream, I didn’t really fully believe everything, it was ‘am I really here?’. The same when I made my debut.

“I really enjoyed it, I was just soaking everything in.

“We were proud, happy to give back to the fans.”

Those fans couldn’t be in the stands at Pride Park to witness Poveda’s full Leeds United debut, when he gave glimpses of what he can do and hints of what he might be able to do with a longer spell under Bielsa’s care.

There were more celebrations on the pitch and then came the feedback that ensured his feet remained on the ground.

“They said I did all right,” said the former Manchester city youngster. With the coaching staff we have, they’re always trying to make us better.

“Even if I had a great game maybe he would say I had a great game but he’d tell me the things I need to improve.

“If I have a great game I don’t need someone to tell me I had a great game, I don’t mind, I like if people criticise so I can keep pushing and pushing and going up the ladder.

“They gave me a lot of feedback that helps me. Hopefully I can keep showing that on the pitch.”

With the benefit of a first Thorp Arch pre-season under his belt, Poveda has stayed in Bielsa’s plans, making the squad for Saturday’s trip to Premier League champions Liverpool.

He didn’t get on the pitch, but the next time he does, he believes Leeds fans will see a more complete player but not a complete player.

The work goes on.

“The gaffer has helped me with not only receiving the ball to my feet, runs in behind, more options, defensively I’ve been working a lot on that,” he said.

“Just all round, he’s making me a complete player. I feel like I’ve improved a lot but obviously there’s so much more to overcome, obstacles, things I’ve got to prove.”