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Noel Whelan shares what he recently told Stuart Dallas

Jordan Harris

Mon 12 April 2021 7:45, UK

Noel Whelan that Stuart Dallas is his Player of the Season for a second year running following the Leeds United midfielder’s heroics against Manchester City on Saturday.

Dallas was the star of the show at the Etihad Stadium. He broke the deadlock with a thunderous drive from the edge of the box during the first-half.

And it was the Northern Irishman who sent the Leeds players and staff into a frenzy in stoppage-time, scoring the winner for the 10-men against the soon-to-be champions.

It was the best display in what has been a remarkable campaign for the 29-year-old. He has already achieved his best tally for league goals in a single season since moving to England in 2012. And he has done it in his first year at the highest level.

And that prompted Whelan to suggest that he has been the standout performer during what has been an incredible return to the top flight for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

“I told him that, I said: ‘you were my Player of the Season last year, and you’re my Player of the Season again this year’,” . “He never lowers his performance levels.

“He is the most consistent player that we’ve had for two seasons. He gets better and better. I think sometimes he’s overlooked because he’s not got the flair of maybe your Raphinhas or your Harrisons, but he’s played in every single position and absolutely melted it.”

TBR View: Dallas’s rise has probably even surprised Bielsa

It is amazing to recall how far Dallas has elevated himself – even during Bielsa’s tenure. He only made 12 league starts in Bielsa’s first year at Elland Road, with a further 16 appearances coming from the bench.

Since then however, he has only missed one league game in almost two seasons. And he has done that despite not having one clear role in the team along the way.