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Marcelo Bielsa Hails Key West Ham Midfield Partnership

By Henry Tomlinson

Leeds United's Argentinian head coach Marcelo Bielsa gestures from the side-lines during the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Aston Villa at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on February 27, 2021. (Photo by NAOMI BAKER / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NAOMI BAKER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Leeds United's Argentinian head coach Marcelo Bielsa gestures from the side-lines during the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Aston Villa at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on February 27, 2021. (Photo by NAOMI BAKER / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NAOMI BAKER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has worked wonders at the Yorkshire club, helping them to promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since 2003. The Argentine has been hailed as one of the greatest tacticians currently in the game. The reputation the manager has built is turning into a prestigious one. Even though he turned West Ham down six years ago.

Therefore praise from Bielsa should be welcomed and taken very seriously. Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek should feel very proud that they have been picked out by the Argentine ahead of West Ham’s match against Leed United on Monday night.

Rice and Soucek have formed a terrific partnership in the middle of the park this season. The dynamic duo have perfectly combined defensive solidity and attacking prowess. Soucek is currently the club’s top scorer with eight goals, while Rice’s surging runs can cause carnage to defences.

West Ham midfielders Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek have received high praise from Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa after their impressive campaigns.

Tomas Soucek, Declan Rice, West Ham.
Tomas Soucek, Declan Rice, West Ham. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /

Bielsa has earmarked the progression of the midfielders. The manager believes that they have gone under the radar as a partnership suggesting their ability as a ‘secret’. West Ham fans will disagree with him that it is a secret and know full well how good the pair are.

"“A secret or something special – it’s not just me who observes it. They’ve been able to maintain a stable partnership in midfield. The two players there [Rice and Soucke] are very important.Bielsa on Rice and Soucek"

After witnessing first-hand how good Soucek and Rice are earlier in the season, Bielsa must be forming a plan to stop them at the London Stadium. Rice pocketed Leeds fan favourite Kalvin Phillips and Soucek scored the Hammers opening goal of the night. Bielsa’s plan will have to be good as the duo have dominated some of the Premier League’s best midfielders.

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West Ham will be going into the match full guns blazing after dropping out of the top four because of Chelsea and Everton’s mid-week wins. The Hammers have a real chance of playing European football next season, and beating teams like Leeds is paramount to that aim.