Marcelo Bielsa hails attributes of Diego Llorente and 'missing aspect' of Leeds United defender's recovery

Summer signing Llorente has had endured injury troubles since joining the Whites and has so far made just the one appearance which came in the 3-1 loss at Chelsea at the beginning of December.

The Spanish international defender had only recently recovered from a groin issue and Bielsa had hoped to give Llorente game time for United's under-23s prior to stepping out for the first team.

However, with Gaetano Berardi already out injured, Bielsa then saw Robin Koch aggravate a knee problem in the clash at Stamford Bridge which led to Llorente making his Whites debut as a ninth-minute substitute.

Llorente then picked up a muscular problem in the contest before suffering another setback and has been sidelined since - though Bilelsa has this time been able to afford the 27-year-old game time for United's under-23s before playing for the first team.

Llorente started for the under-23s in their Premier League 2 clash against Stoke City earlier this month and came though 45 minutes and scored.

Asked how pleased he was to see Llorente on the pitch with the under-23s and what attributes he would bring to the first team, Bielsa said: "The minutes with the 23s was an aspect that was missing so that he could return with us.

"Llorente has the characteristics of a strong defender.

"He is a player who is happy recovering the ball and he’s the player who has physical attributes which can help in the aerial game and the physical dual on the ground."

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/steve-bruce-confirms-triple-newcastle-united-blow-leeds-united-clash-and-provides-allan-saint-maximin-fitness-update-3111840

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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Thank you Laura Collins