A look at Leeds United's centre-back options and the cover within the squad

Two players per position, but including individuals who can fulfil more than one role.

That in addition to emerging youngsters.

And if and when Leeds land the new centre-back they need, Bielsa will essentially have his wish though minus the services of the injured Gaetano Berardi.

In Berardi’s absence, it might well be that both Pascal Struijk and Oliver Casey play more prominent roles with the duo probably the fourth and fifth choice centre-back options at present after skipper Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling and Kalvin Phillips.

Ayling and Phillips are clearly not natural centre-backs, but that is not to say the duo will not excel in the position if called for in the country’s top flight.

Bielsa is a master at getting players to adapt and almost retrain into different positions.

Phillips has previously revealed how he was somewhat surprised that Bielsa wanted him to train as a centre-back following his appointment as head coach in June 2018 having previously been used in spells as a no 10.

But Phillips has by and large produced the goods when deployed at centre-back, usually as part of a back three when Bielsa has called for such a formation.

United’s Yorkshire Pirlo is clearly best as a deep lying defensive midfielder, excelling in the position over the past two seasons to such a degree that United had to rebuff multiple offers in excess of £20m from Premier League clubs for his services last summer.

The 24-year-old is thought to be on the cusp of being handed a first England call, even if Jamaica are also looking to secure his services through his dad, and it is as a holding midfielder that Phillips has truly excelled.

But Bielsa will be prepared to use Phillips as a centre-back if required though Ayling would appear the second choice to Cooper at present with Berardi facing nine months out with a torn ACL.

Like Phillips, Ayling has also shifted to play at the heart of the defence frequently last season and seems to be improving in the position which each outing.

That said, Ayling is at his best when bombing up and down the right flank with the 28-year-old responsible for four goals and four assists during a stellar promotion winning campaign.

Ideally, at full strength, Bielsa will want to play Ayling at right back or wing back and therein the recruitment of a first choice centre-back is crucial and seemingly top priority.

The fact that Leeds want to sign last season’s Brighton loanee star Ben White on a permanent deal has been well documented but be it White or another option, landing a first choice centre back seems essential.

If not, and until then, Ayling appears second choice centre-back, and with Berardi injured, Phillips or one of the club’s youngsters would be next, unless someone like centre midfielder Adam Forshaw dropped into the position and with Bielsa you would rule nothing out.

Who's to say that United's versatile extraordinaire Stuart Dallas could not do a job there? He's played everywhere else.

But in short, given the select number of options in the position, youngsters Struijk and Casey might well end up playing fairly prominent roles, not as starters but in the time of need and in particular Struijk.

The Belgian born Dutch youth international actually looked a natural in the holding midfield role when filling in for the injured Phillips at the end of the campaign.

Struijk, though, on the flip side to Phillips, is a natural centre-back and at a recently turned 21 years of age one who will surely develop in leaps and bounds under a master head coach like Bielsa.

It should be remembered that Struijk has still only made five first team appearances and only three starts.

It’s even less for Casey who has had just five minutes off the bench in last December’s win at Huddersfield Town and Casey is still only 19 years old, turning 20 in October.

Elsewhere in the squad, left back Leif Davis is another player who could shift over to play at centre-back with the 20-year-old quickly gaining admirers and wanted by League One side Portsmouth on loan.

First team wise, Leeds do look light on centre-backs, and the overriding thought that both White and Berardi need replacing is obvious, particularly with United now taking on the country’s elite.

Yet in Bielsa, United have one of the world’s elite coaches - the most elite of all in the eyes of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola - and it should never be underestimated what Bielsa can do from within.

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Thank you Laura Collins