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Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

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Eight-figure Leeds ace is proving a bargain, could play a huge role for Bielsa next season – TBR View

Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte

Leeds United defender Diego Llorente has taken a little while to get fully up and running at Elland Road following his injury issues, but he’s finally a fixture in Marcelo Bielsa’s starting XI and doing well.

The 27-year-old joined Leeds in an deal from Real Sociedad last summer, penning a four-year contract with the Premier League newcomers.

Llorente endured a tricky first half of the season at Elland Road, not making his Whites debut until December due to an injury picked up on international duty.

Leeds United v Liverpool - Premier League
(Photo by Lee Smith – Pool/Getty Images)

The Spaniard was then sidelined twice more, meaning he only featured twice in the Premier League prior to the Southampton game in February.

Since then, Llorente has played the full 90 minutes in each of Leeds’ league games, and on Monday night, he grabbed his first senior goal for his new club.

Aside from heading home a crucial 87th-minute equaliser for the Whites, he also delivered an overall impressive performance.

“Aggressive defending, some lovely passing and a goal to cap the performance,” wrote the , who gave him 9 out of 10.

Admittedly, one of his headers back to Illan Meslier was poor and put Diogo Jota through on goal, and he seemed to go through the motions for a bit, but he improved as the second half went on.

All in all, Llorente is proving a shrewd signing and, at £18million, you could argue he’s a bargain considering how well he’s playing and how much better he’s getting with every game.

Although this season hasn’t been easy for him, he’s bound to play a huge role for Bielsa throughout the whole of next season.