Is this the best? Leeds United What have you seen since Marcelo Bielsa took over? Very likely.

No one can question this job Daniel Falk Completed at Elland Road. While Bielsa’s reign has been filled with joy, there’s something more pragmatic about the current regime, and it’s getting the job done.

Like Bielsa, Falke helped Leeds gain promotion. Like Bielsa, he wants to keep Leeds in the Premier League Premier League One season later.

The challenge, of course, was to maintain them at this level, something the club’s great Argentinian ultimately failed to do in his second term. However, this team looked hungry, motivated and, more importantly, they were scoring goals.

In Dominic Calvert-Lewin they found the pinnacle of the club’s modern version of Patrick Bamford. They probably found new ones too Pablo Hernandez in recent weeks.

The numbers behind Pablo Hernandez’s fantastic career at Leeds United

Calvert-Lewin signed on a free transfer in the summer and although he is doing his best to emulate Hernandez, the Spaniard remains the club’s best bargain of the modern era.

Initially under Garry Monk, a loan deal with Qatari club Al-Arabi was signed during the 2016/17 season, which became permanent in January of that season. While the cost has not been disclosed, it is widely believed to be modest.

Well, whatever the fee was, he would definitely pay it back. Leeds have enjoyed the services of the likes of Rafinha, Georginio Root and Crissencio Somerville in recent years, but none entertained the crowds at Elland Road quite like Hernandez.

In the twilight of his career, he lit up Yorkshire with some stunning performances, scoring 36 goals and providing 41 assists during his time at Leeds United.

The playmaker’s performances were so magical that he won the Player of the Season award three times. He deserves a statue outside the stadium, that’s for sure.

Although he only made 16 appearances in the top flight for Leeds United without scoring a goal, he was a prodigy in the second division, scoring 12 goals and assisting 12 times in the 2018/19 season. After one season, he participated in a total of 18 goals, including 9 goals and 9 assists.

Since then, Leeds have had players like Raphinha and Root creating magic, but have always lacked some spark and momentum in the Premier League. That is, until now.

Leeds United star performs like Pablo Hernandez

Not long ago, Leeds United seemed to be sliding towards relegation. Farke is under pressure and could, in fact, face being sacked.

However, the Whites’ fortunes took a surprising turn, spurred on by the goalscoring performance of summer recruit Calvert-Lewin and a change in formation.

Farke’s record in the Premier League has left a lot to be desired with his previous performances, and he appears to have finally figured out how to win points at this testing level.

In the past 13 games in all competitions, Leeds United have only lost 2 games. It’s been a remarkable run of form, and despite losing 4-0 to Arsenal, they somehow bounced back against Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Not only do they owe that to the aforementioned ‘DCL’, but also to Brenden Aaronson, whose turnaround in fortunes at Leeds has been nothing short of miraculous. The American has been criticized over the past few years but has now proven his hard work with four goals and three assists.

That said, he’s not the only one who’s experienced an upturn in recent weeks. Ilya Gruev enjoyed one of his best games for the club in last Friday’s win over Nottingham Forest, even copying Hernandez in the process.

The £5m-rated Bulgarian started just two games between September 13 and November 23 and it’s safe to say he looked finished in a Leeds shirt. However, he is now in more consistent starting form and rewarded his manager with two assists last week.

It is worth noting that Gruev became the first Leeds United player to provide two assists in a Premier League home game since Hernandez against Newcastle in 2020.

In addition, he became the sixth Leeds player since 2000 to provide two assists in the top flight at Elland Road. He was indeed in good company. Others who have done so are Hernandez, Lee Bowyer, Olivier Dacote, Alan Smith and Stephen McPhail.

What makes this stat even more extraordinary is that before this game, he had only contributed 5 assists in his entire career at Leeds United. On that basis, Gruev still has a long way to go before he can fully emulate Hernandez, but his performance against Sean Dyche’s men was outstanding.

Not only did he have a pass completion rate of 98%, but he also created 4 chances and made 8 defensive contributions. It was a remarkable performance and Leeds fans will no doubt hope he can keep going as they aim to secure survival.

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