There is something different about a Spanish playmaker. Whether it’s the mesmerising footwork, the fancy technique, the sincere class or the smooth nature of their play, it just hits differently.
Think Juan Mata, Santi Cazorla, David Silva, Andres Iniesta and even former Leeds United hero Pablo Hernandez.
He may not have taken his career right to the very top like some of the aforementioned names but at Elland Road, he found a home for himself in England where he would become synonymous with the Marcelo Bielsa era.
[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-united-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-much-more-2″ title=”Read the latest Leeds news, transfer rumours and more!”]
He is undoubtedly the best player they’ve had at Leeds since the days of Victor Orta, Andrea Radrizzani and Angus Kinnear, and it’s no surprise to see why.
He won three consecutive player of the year awards at the club and took to English football like he owned it.
Hernandez ended his time in Yorkshire with a Championship winner’s medal under his belt, which went nicely alongside his remarkable haul of 36 goals and 41 assists.
He was different gravy during his stint with the Whites. This wasn’t Bisto or Knorr. No, this was M&S’ finest onion gravy, a delectable and eloquent taste that melts in your mouth.
Hernandez’s class and composure on the ball were enough to make grown men and women shriek and marvel at his abilities but they’ve not had anyone of the same calibre since their promotion to the Premier League.
A longer stint in England’s top flight will certainly help but Orta can go a long way to finding his next Hernandez this summer.
That’s because Leeds have been linked with a move for Nottingham Forest hotshot, Brennan Johnson, a young individual who also has the ability to do something special out of nothing.
Described as “magic” by journalist Ethan Lamb, the £18m attacking midfielder certainly lives up to that tag.
He thrived on loan at Lincoln last term where he scored 13 and supplied 14 but he has gone from strength to strength since, registering numbers in the Championship that Leeds’ former Spanish playmaker would be proud of.
On his way to the play-off final, the Welshman has racked up a staggering 19 goals in all competitions while also registering nine assists for his troubles.
The 21-year-old has clearly been a level above this term and you sense a move to someone like Leeds could hinge on whether they earn promotion next Sunday. If they don’t, a move to Elland Road would become a more likely eventuality. Watch this space.
AND in other news, Imagine him & Aaronson: Leeds can sign a new Sancho in “unstoppable” £33m “phenomenon”…