Nobody of a Leeds United persuasion left Elland Road with a dry eye on Wednesday night. After five-and-a-half years at the club, Mateusz Klich was given a hero’s send-off before his move to DC United.
A key component of the Championship-winning season in 2019-20, Klich was adored by Whites supporters for his off-field antics as much as the contributions on the pitch. The famous picture of him smoking a cigar amid the promotion celebrations is now etched into Yorkshire folklore.
Sadly, first-team players who historically returned Leeds to the Premier League appear to dwindle in numbers with each passing transfer window. Klich is the latest player to head for the exit door after his switch to the MLS.
Read more: Klich embodied Leeds United and city's awakening in one of the club's finest 21st-century legacies
Marcelo Bielsa assembled an unforgettable side that captured the imaginations of Leeds supporters for three-and-a-half years. It all started in August 2018, with a 3-1 victory over Stoke City.
Promotion would not be secured that season as the Whites suffered play-off heartbreak to Derby County. Following Klich’s departure, LeedsLive have profiled the team who started Bielsa’s first game in charge to find out what they are up to now.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell
Despite showing plenty of promise, Peacock-Farrell is still finding his feet in the game. A loan move to Sheffield Wednesday last year almost resulted in promotion but Sunderland emerged as victorious in the play-off semi-final.
He is now at Burnley, serving as Arijanet Muric’s understudy.
Luke Ayling
One of two players from this starting XI still playing for Leeds, Ayling remains the club’s first-choice right-back. Almost 250 appearances for the Whites will grant him a similar send-off to Klich once his time at Elland Road comes to an end.
Liam Cooper
Cooper, alongside Ayling, is the only other player in this XI still on the books. The club captain returned from injury in October and has been an ever-present since.
Gaetano Berardi
The Swiss centre-back more than played his part in helping Leeds secure promotion, making 22 league appearances in 2019-20. However, his game time was restricted once Bielsa and Co reached the promised land.
The Elland Road cult hero now plays for AC Bellinzona in his native country, who are currently on a winter break.
Barry Douglas
Injuries prevented Douglas from ever realising his true potential at Elland Road. The Scotsman returned to his former club Lech Poznan in 2021, where he has continued to spend time on the treatment table.
Kalvin Phillips
The player who has gone on to achieve the most in this side. Helping England reach the Euro 2020 final was to Leeds’ detriment as it placed the academy product firmly on the map to rival Premier League clubs.
Manchester City snared Phillips away during the summer for around £50million, ending the constant rumours regarding his future. He has barely featured for Pep Guardiola in the Premier League this term.
Mateusz Klich
Ironically, Klich scored the first goal of the Bielsa era in the 3-1 win over Stoke. Wayne Rooney has snapped him up for DC United in a bid to improve their side after finishing rock bottom of the MLS last season.
Samuel Saiz
Expectation was placed on Saiz due to his previous affiliation with both Madrid clubs. A Spain under-19 international, his career, unfortunately, failed to deliver on the hype, despite some dazzling early Leeds United performances.
Saiz was loaned out to Girona in 2019, where he has played ever since.
Pablo Hernandez
Hernandez may have been entering the twilight of his career but he had plenty of magic left in his boots for the Championship. The Spaniard - who earned four caps for his country - played arguably the best football of his career under Bielsa.
After leaving in 2021, he joined his local club Castellon, which he had previously invested in with former Valencia teammate Angel Ibanez.
Ezgjan Alioski
Alioski's hijinks endeared him to the Elland Road faithful, as did his energetic performances down the left-hand side. A brief move to Saudi Arabia ensued in 2021 before signing for Fenerbahce, where he still plays.
Kemar Roofe
A mixed tenure under Bielsa saw Roofe start the campaign as first-choice striker. However, his place soon came under threat by Patrick Bamford’s renaissance in front of goal.
Once dropped, Roofe moved to Anderlecht before the Championship-winning campaign. He is now a regular goalscorer - and losing Europa League finalist - at Scottish powerhouses Rangers.
On the bench
Four of Leeds' substitutes that day remain at the club. Jack Harrison remains a key player for the club, Patrick Bamford has struggled with injuries following a brilliant first campaign back in the Premier League, Stuart Dallas is currently recovering from a broken leg and Tyler Roberts is currently out on loan.
Pontus Jansson left the club for Brentford after Bielsa's first season in charge, while Chelsea loan duo Jamal Blackman and Lewis Baker did not make waves at Elland Road and can now be found at Exeter City and Stoke City respectively.
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