Sky Sports pundit criticises 'loose' Leeds player who caused Marcelo Bielsa a 'big problem' v Leicester

Mateusz Klich of Leeds United. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The Whites suffered a 4-1 defeat to the Foxes at a rainy Elland Road, and missed out on the chance to move up to third in the Premier League table.

Their cause was, however, hindered by the absence of midfield stalwart Kalvin Phillips, with the England international sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Marcelo Bielsa opted to employ Klich in a deeper role just in front of the back four, with Jamie Shackleton drafted into the centre of midfield alongside Pablo Hernandez for his first Premier League start.

But Francis was not impressed with what he saw from the deputising Pole, and in particular, highlighted his lack of positional discipline.

Reflecting on last night’s match ahead of Leeds’ trip to face Crystal Palace on Saturday, the former Bournemouth defender told Sky Sports’ Football Show: “He [Bielsa] won’t change too much. He’ll continue to play the same way – high pressing, high intensity, moving the ball fast.

"I just think they were the victims of their own downfall last night. They gave the ball away too many times in midfield. I think Klich was too loose in front of the back four.

"I think if Phillips is there he does a better job for them defensively, he cuts out that ball to Vardy, that supply.

"Klich was running all over the place at times trying to join in attacks, and I think that was a big problem last night.

"But they won’t change how they’re going to play. Ultimately, they’ll get results in the Premier League because of that style of play.

"It’s very exciting, it’s very attacking. They’ll play against teams who fancy themselves to go toe-to-toe and that will be a different story – similar to the Manchester City game.”

Phillips tore ligaments in his shoulder after suffering an awkward fall during his side's recent 1-0 defeat to Wolves, and was initially expected to be sidelined for around six weeks.

But speaking during an interview with the Leeds, That! podcast last month, the midfielder claimed that he could return to action in as little as three weeks’ time.