Leeds United youngster Ian Poveda is doing ‘everything’ in an attempt to convince Marcelo Bielsa to give him more playing time in the first-team.
That’s according to the Colombian edition of Marca, who cover the player’s situation today and explain how he’s working behind the scenes.
They report that the 20-year-old is working with both the first-team and the Under 23s at present in an attempt to catch Bielsa’s eye.
This season the youngster has racked up 141 minutes across five appearances, the most he has ever played, but he is determined for more, and that is why every time he has the opportunity to play, he is taking it.
He ‘asks for prominence with his work and effort’ but knows that if he is to be a starter under Bielsa, he must ‘contribute a little more’.
He’s looking to do that by playing as many minutes as the Leeds coach can offer him and then looking to make an impact when given a chance, like he recently did against Arsenal.
So far, Poveda has only been a substitute, with Bielsa wanting more ‘dynamics in the play on the wings’ if he is to develop.
There is hope, though, with summer signing Raphinha having been promoted to the starting eleven against the Gunners after shining with the Under 23s.
That is the same process Poveda is hoping to take advantage of, with Leeds looking to ‘form him with patience’ and Bielsa putting him under ‘rigorous monitoring’.
So far, his level with the youth has shown he can contribute to the first team, but he needs to continue that if he is to become a regular in the Premier League.
