Pablo Hernandez’s future is a big talking point at the moment. The player is contracted at Leeds until the summer of 2022, meaning he has another year at Elland Road beyond the current campaign – but his lack of game time, and interest from the club he co-owns, Castellon, have sparked talked over his future. Now, he has posted on Instagram after remaining an unused substitute against Arsenal on Sunday evening.
The Whites suffered a heavy defeat, producing an abysmal performance in the first half that was completely at odds with the second-half display. Going 4-0 down, they restored some pride as Pascal Struijk scored his first ever professional goal in what was only his 21st Leeds appearance. Helder Costa has been made to wait but the Portugal international came off the bench to score, after good play down the left flank.
Marcelo Bielsa chose to bring on Costa and Tyler Roberts at half-time for Mateusz Klich and Jack Harrison – before Niall Huggins was given his debut, the Wales youth international replacing Gjanni Alioski. It saw Hernandes, who turns 36 in April, remain on the bench as an unused substitute. The former Spain international has made just one substitute appearance for Leeds since January 16.
Now, the veteran has posted this message on his Instagram story. It is translated as: “Although it is impossible, never claim anything in life. Swallow the poison of hatred, and accept injustices, rest assured that everything becomes balanced in the end.”
We all love Pablo. He scored arguably the most-important goal of the club’s recent history, controlling superbly inside the Swansea City box before finishing with aplomb to beat the Welsh side 1-0, not long after the restart. It was a crucial win that seemingly set the tone for the rest of the campaign, as Leeds gained promotion back to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years. Murals have been made in Yorkshire of that precise moment.
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As stated, he has the best part of 18 months left on his contract. Leeds will not be forced into selling him, but if Hernandez wants to go – surely they will afford him whatever he wants to do, given his services to the club. A return to Spain is inevitable, but will it happen this summer? The Athletic’s Phil Hay is of the belief that Hernandez is edging closer to the exit door.
His post on Instagram seems as though he has chosen to accept the decision not to bring him on against Arsenal – if indeed, his post is to do with the Arsenal match. Of course, Hernandez and Bielsa have had a disagreement already this season. But as Hay states, an exit looks more and more likely this summer.
