Leeds United took to the pitch in the first of their three friendlies during the break and it was a game of two halves in which we were poor, but rallied to win 2-1 thanks to a Mateusz Klich wondergoal and here are our player ratings:
Joel Robles – 7
Solid. Made a really good save before Elche had a goal disallowed. Very vocal and clearly a leader on an off the pitch. Could do nothing about Josan’s goal. Brilliant save on 75 minutes, going the other way but tipping an effort wide.
Luke Ayling – 6
Unlucky not to get a Marc Roca pass headed across to an unmarked Rodrigo. Couple of nice passes and touches, good runs forwards. Nice block on 38 minutes. Might have done better with a chance just before half time from a free-kick.
Liam Cooper – 7 (replaced by Drameh, 60 mins)
Brilliant block on 23 minutes with Elche in a good position. Played in a slightly different position, on the right of the central defence with Struijk partnering him. Won headers, did his job. Shame about those around him.
Pascal Struijk – 6
Did nothing to suggest that he should be considered at centre-back long-term but was tidy enough in possession and won a few headers. He and Cooper as a partnership looked uncomfortable, given it was two left-footed centre-backs.
Leo Hjelde – 3
Easily turned on 21 minutes, a welcome back to team for 19-year-old. At fault for Elche’s goal, caught under a long ball in which Josan capitalised, executing a chip over Robles off the post. Free header on 58 minutes, but awful effort.
Adam Forshaw – 4 (replaced by Gyabi, 60 mins)
Gave the ball away really cheaply on 16 minutes, lucky not to concede as Elche countered. A number of times he lost the ball, not good enough. Shows how much we need Tyler Adams in front of the defence.
Marc Roca – 5 (replaced by Perkins, 60 mins)
Poor in possession. Long ball to Rodrigo on 17 minutes straight through to keeper, then lost possession again in midfield 30 seconds later. Picked up some nice positions in midfield, but his passing was not as good as it can be.
Sam Greenwood – 7 (replaced Summerville on 7 mins)
Replacing Summerville on seven minutes, Greenwood played in front of Roca and Forshaw. Tidy in possession but hardly affected the game as much in first half. Lovely run and assist for Leeds equaliser. Moved deeper on 60 mins.
Jack Harrison – 7 (replaced by Gnonto, 60 mins)
Only Leeds player to really show any kind of quality. Nice ball from a free-kick, but Ayling header wide. Couple of stepovers and some neat forward passes. Lovely slipped pass into Greenwood for Leeds equaliser.
Rodrigo – 6 (replaced by Klich, 60 mins)
Frustrating one for Rodrigo, summed up by blasting a ball into a ball-boy inadvertently after being called offside on 34 minutes. Bit of space a moment later, with a nice run and setting up Marc Roca – whose shot was blocked.
Joe Gelhardt – 7 (replaced by Joseph, 60 mins)
Very quiet, starved of service as he played on the right flank and looked to come inside in the first half. But equalised in the second half, showed predatory instinct to get beyond Elche defence and tap Greenwood cut back into the net.
SUBS: Leeds player ratings against Elche
Cody Drameh – 6
Solid, without catching the eye. Drameh is said to have impressed during the trip to Spain and was given 30 minutes to showcase his talent but had little to do defensively, and rarely got the ball to attack. Good cross on 81 minutes.
Darko Gyabi – 7
Lovely feet on 71 minutes to go past a player, before feeding Klich – eventually saw Joseph’s chip go over the bar. Some neat passing, always available and great footwork. Took players on, too. Assist for Klich winner.
Mateusz Klich – 8
Finally gave Leeds a proper 10 and it helped get Leeds up the pitch, and push Elche back. Some nice touches, and won free-kicks. Lovely little clip into Joseph on 72 minutes. Capped display with a stunning goal from 25 yards
Sonny Perkins – 5
Instantly picked up a knock in which he, the medical team and Jesse Marsch discussed. The ex-West Ham starlet though remained on the pitch, with Leeds lacking any other players to bring on. Affected him, went off 86 minutes.
Mateo Joseph – 7
Much more direct than any of his teammates. Ran at a tiring Elche defence and probably should have scored on 72 minutes when put through by Klich – only for his chip to go agonisingly over the bar. But eye-catching, nonetheless.
Willy Gnonto – 7
Great chance on 69 minutes to run at the right-back and get the ball in. Going past his man, quite clearly pulled back and unable to get a good connection on his cut-back.
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