One of Mateusz Klich’s final actions as a Leeds United player may well be finding the top corner for a brilliant winning goal in last week’s friendly with Elche.
The stage may not have been the most important, but the strike would be a fitting way for Klich to bow out if he is indeed heading for the exit in the January transfer window.
Klich has been a peripheral figure for Jesse Marsch’s men this season. He has not started a single Premier League game having previously been a stalwart of the side for much of the last four years.
Klich could leave Leeds
And according to journalist Tom Bogert, he is now close to agreeing a deal to join DC United.
In truth, Klich’s exit has been on the cards for a little while. It seemed ominous when he was named on a very young bench for the final pre-season friendly with Cagliari in the summer.
Marsch subsequently told the press that he was unsure what the future held for Klich. And all of a sudden, it appeared that the Poland international may leave before the summer window shut.
But then, Klich did what he has done so many times since being brought back into the fold under Marcelo Bielsa. He stepped up when we really needed him.
When Klich came on in the 65th minute in the opening day clash with Wolves, Leeds were under real pressure. The score was 1-1, but Wolves looked like the team more likely to score at the start of the second-half.
However, within nine minutes, Leeds had got the goal which would prove to be the winner. And Klich played a role, finding Patrick Bamford with a sumptuous pass. It was Bamford’s ball which led to the decisive own goal.
That cameo proved that Klich still had a huge amount to offer. And, from the outside, it probably ensured that he did ultimately stay put.
How could Leeds sell someone the fans adore just after he had made such an important impact, especially at a time when the squad appeared to lack depth in his position?
Sadly for Klich, that cameo probably gave him false hope that he could force his way into the side. And staying put clearly did his hopes of making Poland’s World Cup squad no favours at all.
Had he left, he would have had a great opportunity to impress ahead of Qatar.
Selfishly, I hope Klich stays because, as he proved against Elche, he still has that piece of magic up his sleeve. And of course, he is one of the promotion heroes who has secured his place in Leeds folklore.
But if he wants to go, he has earned the right to get his move – particularly after staying when so much appeared to be on the line.
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