20 SAMUEL SAIZ

Director of football Victor Orta’s arrival at Leeds last summer sparked a recruitment drive targeting talented European players, with Ezgjan Alioski, Mateusz Klich, Jay-roy Grot and Ouasim Bouy among the imports.

As the campaign progressed, Orta’s transfer strategy appeared haphazard at best. A good start made way for a slump in form that cost gaffer Thomas Christiansen his job, although Orta remains at Elland Road.

With Paul Heckingbottom now at the helm, his initial task is to clear the dead wood that was brought in and build a squad capable of launching a promotion push next term.

One player Leeds fans will hope survives the inevitable clear-out is Samuel Saiz. Signed on a four-year deal from Spanish side Huesca for €3.5m, the 27-year-old has shown himself to be the diamond in a rough summer.

There were, however, some question marks surrounding his arrival. With Pablo Hernandez and Kemar Roofe both occupying the No.10 role, Saiz appeared to be a player Leeds didn’t need. Yet they spent a chunk of the budget in a move symptomatic of the strategy, or lack of one, that has defined Leeds since Orta was put in charge of signings.

Having progressed through the youth ranks at Real Madrid, there was no doubting Saiz’s expertise, and his all-action style of play soon endeared him to Leeds supporters.

His direct dribbling ability and penchant for the spectacular have really helped him make his mark on the Championship – not that he’s always made headlines for the right reasons. Saiz was sent off for spitting at an opponent in an FA Cup tie and suspended for six games, of which Leeds won just one.

The Yorkshire club will now have to convince the Spaniard not to look for a summer switch, with suitors sure to register an interest come the end of the season.