Spain boss says Leeds United centre-back Diego Llorente helps Real Madrid captain to improve

SPAIN boss Luis Enrique has hailed the recent progress of Leeds United's newly acquired centre-back Diego Llorente for even helping experienced 'benchmark' captain Sergio Ramos to improve.
By Lee Sobot
Published 12th Oct 2020, 13:03 BST
Updated 12th Oct 2020, 13:06 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

United's £18m summer recruit Llorente has been forced to leave the Spain squad early due to a muscular injury which has ruled the centre-back out of Tuesday night's Nations League clash against the Ukraine in Kiev.

Llorente bagged his sixth cap for Spain in last Wednesday's international friendly against Portugal in Lisbon in which the 27-year-old lined up alongside Manchester City's 19-year-old defender Eric Garcia at centre-back and dealt with first Cristiano Ronaldo and then Diogo Jota to help keep a clean sheet in a goalless draw.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Llorente then found himself back on the bench for Saturday evening's Nations League clash at home to Switzerland as 34-year-old Real Madrid captain Ramos partnered 23-year-old Villareal player Pau Torres at the heart of the Spain defence in a 1-0 triumph.

PRAISE: For Leeds United's Spanish international centre-back Diego Llorente, left, pictured in combat with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo in last Wednesday's friendly in Lisbon. Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images.PRAISE: For Leeds United's Spanish international centre-back Diego Llorente, left, pictured in combat with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo in last Wednesday's friendly in Lisbon. Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images.
PRAISE: For Leeds United's Spanish international centre-back Diego Llorente, left, pictured in combat with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo in last Wednesday's friendly in Lisbon. Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images.

But speaking ahead of Tuesday night's clash in Kiev, Spain boss Enrique highlighted the importance of Llorente and praised not just his own game but his influence on others.

"Both Pau, Eric García and Diego Llorente have done very well, at a very high level, contributing and trying to improve," said Enrique

"Sergio Ramos is a benchmark, the team mates feel they can play with him, help him and correct him."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-course-take-eight-players-euros-and-could-there-be-more-2999946https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-captain-liam-cooper-joins-diego-llorente-injury-list-after-scotland-setback-2999913https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins

Related topics:Diego LlorenteSergio RamosSpainReal Madrid