Leeds United’s head of scouting, Gaby Ruiz, has claimed identifying players that suit the club and then convincing them to join are the two most difficult aspects of his work.
Leeds recruitment has been fine-tuned for the last years courtesy of their association with Marcelo Bielsa, whose system and style required a very specific type of player.
It was a system that has worked out well for them, with the likes of Patrick Bamford, Illan Meslier, Raphinha, Rodrigo and Jack Harrison the biggest successes.
The strategy is likely to change this summer since Bielsa is no longer in charge, having been replaced by Jesse Marsch earlier this season.
While the American’s style is similar to his Argentinian counterpart, it is by no means the same, meaning Leeds will have to adapt and find a different type of player to suit him.
That’s one of the most difficult aspects of recruitment, according to Ruiz, who says convincing players to move to Elland Road is no simple task either.
“I think the most difficult thing is not the detection of the good player,” Marca report him saying.
“The most complicated thing is the detection of the player who can fit into your club, into your way of playing. That’s what requires a point of accuracy, a point of inspiration.
“The job of convincing a player is very complicated. It may seem that the Premier League is very attractive, which it is, but you are often competing with very powerful clubs, and the players you have spotted have also been spotted by others.”
