YEP 27/7/21 Mateusz Klich explains rationale behind Leeds United's hardest pre-season yet under Marcelo Bielsa
Mateusz Klich has explained the rationale behind Leeds United's hardest pre-season under Marcelo Bielsa so far.
By Lee Sobot
Klich, though, hopes the toughest part of the summer has now
been left behind as Leeds await their first pre-season friendly at Guiseley
tonight (kick-off 7.30pm).
Polish international midfielder Klich was one of six players
to represent Leeds at this summer's European Championships which meant a
shorter break for those involved.
As he approaches his fourth season with the Whites, the
Leeds ace admits he would have ideally preferred "more holidays",
especially considering the Pole's sheer amount of game time.
Klich even admits that his fourth pre-season at Elland Road
has been the toughest yet - but all because Leeds are looking to push on after
a superb ninth-placed finish upon their Premier League return.
"It's harder, I think everybody says it is
harder," Klich told BBC Radio Leeds, asked if there were any differences
to this summer's pre-season.
"Then we can be fitter and we can do more so we are
doing more.
"But I think the worst part of it is behind us because
now we start the friendlies and stuff so I think now it is going to be
easier."
Leeds face four friendlies in five days starting with
tonight's clash at Nethermoor Park against non-league Guiseley.
United also visit Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday evening
before a clash at Fleetwood Town on Friday night.
Leeds will then take on Real Betis at Loughborough
University on Saturday afternoon before a fixture against Ajax in Amsterdam on
Wednesday evening.
A second season back in the Premier League for the Whites
will begin with the trip to arch rivals Manchester United on Saturday, August
14.
Asked if he was ready to go again, Klich said: "I think
so, although the last three seasons plus Euros were very intense for me.
"I wish I had more holidays because there wasn't really
much time to recover after Euros and I had to get back as soon as possible to
Leeds and we start with our pre-season which is very hard and very tough."
Pressed on whether there was any opportunity for some down
time this summer - a spot of his passion for street art perhaps - Klich
laughed: "I had no time!
"I had to come home seven days earlier from my holidays
because I had to self isolate at home.
"I sat at home for six days or seven days so it wasn't
really a great holiday as well.
"I had no time!"
