'We are lucky to have him' - Pablo Hernandez on another Leeds United game-changer

The impact made by attacking midfield partner Pablo Hernandez, who came on as a second-half substitute against both Fulham and Luton when Leeds were struggling to play their football, led to concerns that the Whites were overly reliant on the Spaniard.

At Blackburn, however, Hernandez didn’t appear until the 61st minute, by which time Klich had set up a Patrick Bamford goal and scored one of his own as Leeds took a comfortable 3-1 lead.

Few could have predicted Klich’s rise to prominence when he was offloaded to FC Utrecht on loan in January 2018 but Leeds, according to Hernandez, are lucky to have the Polish international.

“He always wants the ball, always gives you an option when you have the ball,” said Hernandez.

“He’s improved a lot in the last year, in the last months.

“I think we are very lucky to have him in our team.”

Marcelo Bielsa likes to play Hernandez as a central playmaker, while Klich is expected to fulfil box-to-box duties and link defence with attack.

He is the player Bielsa says runs the furthest during a game and, on Saturday, the head coach lauded the 30-year-old for tipping the game in Leeds’ favour.

His fifth assist and sixth goal of the campaign put Leeds within 10 points of automatic promotion with five to play.

Hernandez, who has six goals and six assists, says Klich makes life simpler for Leeds.

“It is easy for a player to play behind, at the side or in front of him, he always gives you options when you have the ball,” he added.