This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
We sometimes talk about players ‘sending a message’.
More often than not that comes in a metaphorical sense after the player has a great performance, we use it as a way of saying how he’s trying to prove his worth to the manager.
On this occasion though, it looks as if one person has sent an actual message to the manager with his comments.
Eddie Nketiah scored twice on Tuesday night for the England U21 team as they demolished their Austrian counterparts 5-1 last night in Milton Keynes.
It was yet another example of showing just what Leeds are missing this season as they continue to struggle to find the back of the net this season, whilst the 20-year-old watches from the sidelines.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, the Arsenal loanee voiced his frustrations at being limited to just a role on the substitutes bench:
“I’ll never be happy with being on the bench, when I pride myself on being on the team and I think I’m good enough to be on the team. All I can keep doing is putting in the performances I do when I come on and try and contribute.
“I think with the chances I’ve had I’ve done really well. I think going away with England is always a great opportunity for me to continue to put a case forward and show myself.”
It’s no secret that there are many Leeds United fans who have been calling for Nketiah to get more minutes, and those cries have been echoed by former Leeds men such as Noel Whelan and somewhat by Patrick Bamford.
However, the fact that this latest demand is coming from the player at the centre of all the attention means that it is really getting harder and harder for Marcelo Bielsa to ignore the cries for him to become more of a regular.
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Whilst things can obviously change, it is worth noting that a report from Football Insider last week said that, despite all these calls from various people, Bielsa was still set to persist with Bamford upfront for United once the international break was over.
The question is, was his performance for the England U21 side enough to convince him to change his mind?
It would be foolish if it hadn’t at least provoked some change of thought.
