Leeds United have had a good start to the Championship season after all the hype over Marcelo Bielsa’s appointment a few months back.
After 12 games, Leeds are third in the league table, having collected 23 points. As the players work their way through the second international break, I pick the top three performers from Leeds so far this season.
#3 Liam Cooper
Alongside Pontus Jansson in the central defence, club captain Liam Cooper has been rock-solid. He was a key member of the team during the reign of Thomas Christiansen, and Paul Heckingbottom, and he has grown in stature under the new boss.
On an average, he has mustered 1.3 tackles, 1.9 interceptions and 5.9 clearances per game. Besides, he also scored a couple of goals in the league.
Cooper will be a crucial player for Leeds in their quest for promotion as defensive stability will be more critical than anything during the dog days of mid-season.
#2 Barry Douglas
Signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers during the summer transfer window, Barry Douglas has been a reliable and consistent performer for the Peacocks so far. He has shown good work ethic on the left flank and has managed to strike an excellent balance between his defensive duties and attacking endeavours.
Douglas has mustered 11 starts in the Championship so far, bagging three assists in the process. Further, he has also plundered 2.9 tackles and 2.6 clearances per game on an average.
Leeds United lacked quality in the left-back slot last season, but that seems to have been sorted now.
#1 Pablo Hernandez
Bielsa is, to an extent, missing the attacking prowess of Pablo Hernandez in the final third. The Spaniard is sidelined with a hamstring injury and is expected to make a return to the squad after the international break when Leeds United face Blackburn Rovers away from home.
Hernandez has set a very high bar for himself, particularly after his magnificent display against Norwich City earlier in the season. In five appearances, he has scored three goals and provided two assists.
The Spaniard does add that spark and creativity in the attacking sector with the manner in which he reads the game it will be interesting to see how he fares once he comes back.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored