BIELSA WILL GO CRAZY FOR TEEN SENSATION CHARLIE

MARCELO BIELSA has found a kindred spirit in Leeds’ new teen ace from Northern Ireland.

The Argentine boss is renowned for his forensic analysis and total dedication to the sport he loves.

Bielsa – dubbed ‘El Loco’ for reportedly threatening to unpin a grenade when 20 Ultras from Newell’s Old Boys confronted him at his home following a defeat in his native country – was also caught up in the infamous spying scandal on Derby County.

But Charlie Allen, 16, who has signed a three-year deal from Irish League outfit Linfield, is just the right side of crazy to make an impression on the Leeds supremo.

That’s the view of Northern Ireland’s Elite Performance Director Jim Magilton, who describes the wide-midfielder/ forward as someone with a ‘tremendous work ethic’, a rising star who ‘plays with an edge’ and is ‘nothing short of sensational’.

Allen, who at 15 became the youngest first-team player in Linfield’s history, has lived and breathed football in a professional environment for the last

DEAL: Allen 12 months – having joined the IFA’s Elite Performance Program Programme at the age of 10.

He has spent the last year as a full-time resident in Northern Ireland’s first academy for rising stars at Ulster University’s Jordanstown campus.

“He is one of the first boys to come through,” said Magilton (above).

“And he’s applied himself every single day for the last year.

“He has improved dramatically over the last number of months and is nothing short of sensational.

“Charlie has an edge that will stand him in good stead. He can be aggressive and a bit temperamental but he’s coachable and his all-round game is impressive.”