This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
The more you think about it, the more questions become of it.
According to a report from Football Insider, Leeds United are set to open negotiations over a new contract with 34-year-old Pablo Hernandez.
Hernandez got off to a great start this season with two goals and two assists in the first five games of the season, however that form has slowly died away and he has been hampered with an injury for the few games before the international break.
Given the lack of return that the likes of Jack Harrison and Helder Costa have brought so far this season, scoring just once in the league between them, it seems as if Marcelo Bielsa is being forced to go with someone who he knows can produce at this level in his system in this division.
This deal just smacks of a lack of imagination and desperation for Leeds. If they are willing to give a new contract to someone who is 34 going on 35, it just shows how little Marcelo Bielsa has in the rest of the squad.
With the amount of money, a potential £170m, that will come next season should Leeds get promoted, you’d think that they’d be able to expand the team somewhat and bring in some new players.
Is this just a contingency plan so that Leeds will have some players for the Championship if they don’t end up getting promoted? It could well be.
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One thing that is hanging over all of this, which should not be ignored, is the prospect of the 5 foot 8 winger retiring at his boyhood club CD Castellon too.
As was documented by Phil Hay last month, Hernandez has dreamed of finishing his career there, and whilst it is always possible that he plays past 40, it should be worth noting that time is running out if he wants to fulfil that dream one day before it’s too late.
This might be a cynical way of approaching it, but it is entirely possible that Leeds are giving him a new contract purely so that they can command a fee from the Spanish side rather than losing him for nothing.
That is the only way that this whole thing makes sense.
