Mateusz Klich ‘determined’ to leave Leeds United, with most likely destination revealed

Mateusz Klich wants to leave Leeds United this summer, it has been revealed – and a report has shed light on where he might end up.

Klich has made more than 170 appearances for Leeds United since joining them in 2017. He was Marcelo Bielsa’s most-used player – at Leeds or any other club. However, his future under Jesse Marsch is less certain.

Leeds have invested in their midfield this summer, bringing in Marc Roca, Tyler Adams and Darko Gyabi. The changes were mainly made to account for the sale of Kalvin Phillips, but Klich is an existing option who could suffer in turn.

There has been a feeling that Klich could be moved on. Now, reports in his native Poland are emphasising that possibility.

According to Meczyki, Klich is “determined” to leave Leeds this summer. His motivation is to ensure he is playing regularly at club level, to give himself the best chance of going to the World Cup with Poland.

In fact, a clear idea of where Klich can go next is already forming. Supposedly, he is in line for a return to FC Utrecht.

After joining Leeds from another Eredivisie outfit, FC Twente, in 2017, he did not get much gametime under Thomas Christiansen. Subsequently, Klich spent six months on loan with Utrecht between January 2018 and the end of that season.

Now, Klich is considering a return to Dutch football, precisely with Utrecht again.

During his previous spell with the club, he played 16 times, scoring one goal and adding three assists. He featured in a high proportion of the matches he was available for while with them.

The spell clearly benefited him, as he returned to Leeds revived. He played in all 46 games of the 2018-19 Championship season and only missed one the following year, during which Bielsa led the club to promotion.

Klich featured prominently in both seasons since Leeds United have been back in the Premier League too. However, it may not be the case going forward under Marsch, who gave him nine starts since taking charge in late February.

Marsch recently said he would understand Klich’s desire to make it to the World Cup. However, the head coach also acknowledged the benefits of keeping Klich around.

Speaking about Klich at a press conference after a friendly against Cagliari, Marsch replied: “I don’t know yet.

“Listen, I really like Mateusz and his mentality has been great. He understandably really wants to go to the World Cup, which, you know, all of our guys are trying to figure out how it all fits and it’s an important four or five months for a lot of players.

“But I like having Mateusz here. He’s a great guy, and he’s put a lot into this. So we’ll see what happens.”

What should Leeds United decide for Mateusz Klich?

Mateusz Klich has been a good servant to Leeds over the years. Now, they face a difficult decision about his future.

Squad depth will be important if they are to avoid another relegation battle next season. Indeed, one of the main reasons they struggled last season was how the absences of players like Phillips and Patrick Bamford affected them.

Hence, Leeds won’t want their numbers to dwindle too much. But even if Klich does move on, they would still have Roca, Adams, Gyabi and Adam Forshaw in their midfield.

Perhaps Leeds should take into account Klich’s service for them and allow him his exit wish. It would be a reluctant decision, but it may be a way of saying thanks for his commitments in the Championship and Premier League.

Klich played an important part in a significant chapter of Leeds’ recent history. But maybe his own story with the club, despite a contract until 2024, is about to end.

It could yet be a temporary farewell, though. The report from Meczyki indicates Utrecht want to take him on loan again.

That may be the best solution for Klich to guarantee good gametime before the World Cup. But perhaps he could return to the Elland Road fold in the future.

That said, his contract would have just one year left by that point. Hence, Leeds would face another dilemma, especially if the 32-year-old has done well enough for Utrecht to want to keep him.

But in the meantime, lending him back there may be the most reasonable option.

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