Barry Douglas's reminder Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United have different fitness demands to the rest

The Scottish left-back has joined Blackburn Rovers on a season-long loan after spending two years working with the demanding Argentinian.

Leeds play an intense high-pressing brand of football which demands exceptional fitness levels, and that is reflected in the work they do on the training ground.

“I don’t think there’s any unfit players under Marcelo Bielsa,” said 31-year-old Douglas, who played an hour on his first start for Blackburn at the weekend.

“For me it’s about getting that match sharpness, getting the eye back in and an understanding with the players here, and that comes with games and training.”

With stories of Bielsa's “Murderball” sessions – where the ball is effectively kept permanently in play and coaches scream instructions at the players from all angles to up the intensity – legendary, Douglas's comments come as no surprise but they are a reminder of why so few signings are able to come straight into the Leeds team.

Jean-Kevin Augustin, who signed on loan from RB Leipzig in January, never seemed able to convince Bielsa he had the fitness to challenge Patrick Bamford as the team's centre-forward. Leeds declined to extend the Frenchman's loan when the 2019-20 season was extended into July, and despite having an obligation to buy him for around £20m if they won promotion, Augustin ended up joining Nantes as a free agent in October.

Centre-back Robin Koch is the only Leeds summer signing who has gone straight into the team, playing every minute of Premier League football since his arrival from Freiburg. Injuries have prevented fellow central defender Diego Llorente making his debut.

Spanish forward Rodrigo has gradually built up his involvement after starting his Leeds career on the bench at Anfield. He has only completed 90 minutes twice – in a weakened side which played Hull City in the League Cup, and at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers – and has come on three times. He has been substituted on four occasions – including at Sheffield United when he was only brought on at half-time – but is fast establishing himself as an important figure in central midfield despite having played most of his career as a forward.

Rodrigo was fit enough to lead the line for Spain against Germany in the September Nations League game which preceded his Leeds debut.

Winger Raphinha has made two late cameos from the bench since joining on deadline day from Rennes, where he played six matches this season.

The Brazilian's limited time on the field is in part due to the form of Jack Harrison and Helder Costa but it is also a reminder that in football there is being fit, match-fit and then there is being Bielsa-fit.

It makes rushing to judgement on new Leeds signings even more precarious than at other clubs.

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