Leeds boss Bielsa provides updates on Phillips & Llorente ahead of Everton
Marcelo Bielsa has provided updates on the fitness of Leeds pair Kalvin Phillips and Diego Llorente, ahead of the club’s meeting with Everton.
Red Devils humbling
The Peacocks are of course set to return to Premier League action this weekend.
Bielsa and co. kicked their 2021/22 campaign off last Saturday, in a highly anticipated showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
When all was said and done at the Theatre of Dreams, however, it proved a day to forget for Leeds, who ultimately succumbed to a fully deserved 5-1 drubbing.
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As such, it goes without saying that the West Midlands outfit will be going in search of a bounce-back performance this weekend.
Leeds are set to play host to Rafael Benitez’s Everton, fresh off the back of a morale-boosting turnaround victory over Southampton in their own season opener.
Phillips boost
Marcelo Bielsa, in turn, will no doubt be keen to have as many of his key performers as possible fit and available to feature from the off on Saturday.
The Whites’ trip to Old Trafford saw star men Kalvin Phillips and Diego Llorente both forced to watch on from the sidelines, amid respective efforts to regather full fitness.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Bielsa was therefore drawn on the availability of the pair this weekend.
And the Argentine went on to confirm that Phillips could mark his return versus Everton, albeit with defender Llorente not quite ready to feature:
Kalvin Phillips is “better” and closer to start after another week of training. Saturday will come too soon for Diego Llorente. “It’s probable he will have chances to compete again next week.”
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— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) August 19, 2021
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