My fault if Eddie Nketiah is not a success at Leeds United - Marcelo Bielsa

Marcelo Bielsa says he will shoulder the blame if Eddie Nketiah’s loan spell at Leeds United is not a success.
Eddie Nketiah at a party in Millennium Square for Leeds United celebrating their 100 anniversary of the club. (Picture: Tony Johnson)Eddie Nketiah at a party in Millennium Square for Leeds United celebrating their 100 anniversary of the club. (Picture: Tony Johnson)
Eddie Nketiah at a party in Millennium Square for Leeds United celebrating their 100 anniversary of the club. (Picture: Tony Johnson)

The Whites head coach insists there is no one more desperate to see Nketiah succeed at Elland Road than him.

But Bielsa appeared to suggest that the Arsenal striker is still in the process of earning a starting place up front for Leeds.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The clamour for the 20-year-old to break into Bielsa’s team has been there all season, but a midweek hat-trick for England Under 21s added fuel to the fire this week.

England's Eddie Nketiah issued a play me plea after scoring a hat-trick for England Under-21s on Tuesday (Picture: PA)England's Eddie Nketiah issued a play me plea after scoring a hat-trick for England Under-21s on Tuesday (Picture: PA)
England's Eddie Nketiah issued a play me plea after scoring a hat-trick for England Under-21s on Tuesday (Picture: PA)

Former England forward Darren Bent said this week that Nketiah might have to ‘look at going somewhere else’ should more game time not present itself.

Bielsa attaches importance to Nketiah’s goals for the Young Lions and he has accepted that Leeds United’s wastefulness in attack gave the debate credence, but also points out that opinions vary wildly depending on circumstance.

“Nketiah is a player that, at the moment, is not in the starting XI,” said Bielsa, ahead of today’s home game against Birmingham City, when Pablo Hernandez is expected to return to the United squad.

“But we are not being so efficient.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It is natural that one striker, a goalscorer like him is claimed by the people.

“He scored four goals, maybe he could score five.

“Obviously people start to talk about if it’s Bamford or Eddie.

“But football changes every day. In the last match before Millwall, the public, the supporters recognised Bamford a lot. Maybe it was the first time that the supporters recognised him, as they did in that match. For this reason there is a dynamic that changes every match. I am in charge, I have to try and manage the resources the team has.”

Bielsa wants Nketiah to succeed with Leeds United but if he does not, the head coach will accept responsibility.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“For me it is very important that Eddie has a good spell at Leeds.

“If Nketiah doesn’t do well here in Leeds, the responsibility is going to be mine. That will be fair because Nketiah is a player full of results and as coach, I have to know how to manage all this skill to improve the team. The person who most wants Nketiah to have success at Leeds is me, but also I value Bamford, I value him a lot.”

Not known as a man easily swayed from his methods, Bielsa confirmed that he will only make selection decisions that he believes will have a lasting impact on the team. But if Nketiah does, in his coach’s eyes, earn a starting spot, then he will enjoy Bielsa’s full backing.

“When someone takes decisions, they have to take decisions that have to last in the team. It is not just in response to the supporters, the public. It is about taking decisions that last in time, at the right moment, when the team needs it.

“After, I back the player who comes into the team. When one player deserves to be in the starting XI, after, I back them to stay in the team. Nketiah is in this process.”