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Tyler Roberts has been one the surprise packages of the season at Leeds United. Not only has the 20-year-old shocked supporters with the standard of his performances, but he has thrived away from his customary centre-forward position in the enganche role which has largely been occupied by Samu Saiz and Pablo Hernandez.
Yet more reason for the media to salivate over the Argentine, as if any more were necessary.
A pair of assists were provided for Patrick Bamford against West Brom last Friday, with a delicate flick of the boot providing the killer ball to put Leeds 2-0 up shortly before the break and a bulldozing dribble through the heart of the Baggies defence preceding the killer third.
In a season which has hosted Roberts’ rise to prominence alongside the likes of Jack Clarke and Jamie Shackleton, eulogisers have naturally hailed Bielsa’s influence in their collective development.
But this trend is far from surprising given Bielsa’s history in the game. A handful of talents in the Premier League played under the Leeds boss during the formative stages of their careers, and we’re here to show how exposure to his widely-celebrated philosophy can ultimately lay some vital foundations needed for a big future in the game.
Aymeric Laporte
Manchester City’s majestic central defender hailed Bielsa during an interview with The Times earlier this season.
“Without him, I might not be where I am today. It was Bielsa who gave me my first steps in the [Spanish] top flight, and so I owe him a lot. I’m very grateful to him and very aware of exactly what he did for me.”
It takes genuine bravery for a manager to trust in a ball-playing central defender at an age when they are bound to make glaring errors. Bielsa, though, as Laporte has stated, is “not cut from the usual cloth.”
The Athletic Bilbao prodigy was playing 90 minutes in La Liga on a semi-regular basis aged just 18, starting 14 times in the 2012/13 season, but his exposure to elite standard football at such a tentative age clearly served him well.
Bielsa will look at Laporte’s development with immense pride. The 24-year-old has grown into a complete defender, and his performances will undoubtedly play a defining role in the extent of City’s success this season.
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Michy Batshuayi
Bielsa’s time at Marseille happened to coincide with the arrival of one of Belgium’s brightest young talents. Batshuayi’s maiden campaign in France was representative of his overall promise at that age, with a return of nine goals to show from just six starts in Ligue 1.
Admittedly, Bielsa was a little reluctant to fully blood Batshuayi into the starting XI with Andre-Pierre Gignac offering experience at the spearhead of the attack.
But the summer acquisition did come off the bench a further 20 times to supplement his opportunities from the start, and Bielsa’s handling of the complete forward provided him with the platform to thrive in the following season, with 23 goals and 10 assists eventually convincing Chelsea to sign him the following summer.
A player who combines power with technique and neat interplay, the fruits of Bielsa’s labour clearly rubbed off on the Crystal Palace loanee.
Mario Lemina
Lemina is one of the most outspoken admirers of his former manager, per So Foot.
“The first year with Elie Baup was complicated but the next one with Marcelo Bielsa was magnificent. We discovered another OM, more spectacular. With the coach, I learned a lot. It’s really interesting to work under him. When he left, it was a shock for me and that’s what made me want to go.”
The Gabon international is yet to fulfil what is no doubt a huge level of potential, but it’s clear from his quotes that he felt happy and well-educated under Bielsa.
Perhaps a reunion with his former boss could be on the cards if Leeds win promotion to the Premier League.
Is Roberts the next success story?
The aforementioned players are examples of some of the brightest young talents who were privileged enough to play under Bielsa during the early stages of their careers.
It’s clear to see from their career paths that exposure to his methods, philosophy and captivating personality can contribute to a huge future in the game.
For Roberts, a strong contender for Leeds’ breakthrough talent of the season, he has been fortunate to receive the same education.
The Wales international is in esteemed company, but the signs are there to suggest he may not be completely out of his depth in a bracket alongside the likes of Batshuayi and Lemina in four years’ time.
Another Bielsa success story could be in the making.
