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Diego Llorente comments on whether he is fit to face Sheffield United, after Leeds arrival

Will Butcher

Thu 24 September 2020 14:58, UK

that he is ready to face Sheffield United on Sunday afternoon if Marcelo Bielsa wants him to start, after the Whites confirmed the capture of the Spain international.

Llorente, 27, has put pen to paper on a four-year deal at Elland Road with the transfer to have cost £18million. It sees Llorente becomes the club third-most expensive ever signing, just ahead of Robbie Keane.

Leeds failed to complete a permanent deal for Ben White in the summer and Gaetano Berardi suffered a long-term knee injury, leaving the Whites short at centre-back. It has seen Victor Orta decide to sign Llorente as well as Robin Koch.

Spain international Llorente – who came through the ranks at Real Madrid before three seasons with Sociedad – can also play in holding midfield, like Koch. Speaking to Leeds’ website after his move, he confirmed he is ready to play on Sunday.

“Yes [I am ready to play], it was a few difficult says for me with lots of change in a short amount of time,” . “But I am always ready to help the team, I am always ready to help the coach if he wants me to play right now.”

TBR’s view – Will Llorente start against Sheffield United?

If both Koch and captain Liam Cooper are fit, then Llorente will have to wait his turn. Bielsa is renowned for sticking to his guns and if both are fit, then they will start. Llorente may only get one or two sessions in before the match.

Learning Bielsa’s style takes a lot more than just a handful of sessions – ask Jean-Kevin Augustin. So, letting him watch from the substitutes bench to begin with is the safest bet, as Leeds look to secure their second win of the Premier League season.