Tom Pearce appears to have dropped right down the pecking order this season.
Towards the end of last year, Pearce was a key part of Paul Heckingbottom’s squad. And Leeds made it their priority to tie him down to a new deal for this season.
But under Marcelo Bielsa, Pearce has found game time hard to come by.
Barry Douglas has taken his starting spot at left-back but with an injury to the former Wolves man keeping him out of the Brentford clash, Pearce had a chance.
However, Bielsa opted to go for Stuart Dallas at left-back and then moved Ezgjan Alioski there instead.
With the Argentine preferring two wingers to Pearce, is this a worrying omen?
Pearce: 2017/18
Pearce broke into the team towards the end of the season and immediately impressed.
In his five games with the club, the 20-year-old looked at home, tearing up and down the left flank.
The former Everton youngster even netting his first professional goal and Leeds fans were very excited about him.
Pearce: 2018/19
This season, Pearce has been relegated to a substitute spot. The England under-21’s only two matches for the Whites this season have come in the EFL Cup.
And given that Alioski performed well at left-back, Pearce now looks to be fourth choice at best under Bielsa.
What should he do?
I think the best short-term move for Pearce’s career would be a loan move in January.
If Bielsa sees Douglas as his first-choice left-back, then Pearce needs to move away for game time.
Given that Alioski, Dallas and Gaetano Berardi can also play there, it is a low risk move for Leeds.
And it will help Pearce’s long-term development as he still has a big role to play in the future.