There are celebrations and there are celebrations. Match-winners often take the acclaim of their team-mates, but the length and quantity of the embraces Mateusz Klich was fielding last night had extra meaning.
Leeds United were well below par, but came away with the Festa d'Elx Trophy in Elche last night after a moment of brilliance from the Polish midfielder. In a match riddled with mistakes, sluggishness and blunted attacks, the second-half substitute lit the evening up with its pièce de résistance.
It was a throwback to the type of goal Klich was scoring once or twice a month under Marcelo Bielsa through 2018/19. He took a touch out from his feet, picked his spot and caressed the ball home from 20 yards out.
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It had been another night which, yet again, began with him on the bench. Klich has 11 Premier League appearances this season, but not a single start. He is averaging 18 minutes per outing.
Jesse Marsch had warned this would be the case in the summer. On July 31, when Cagliari visited Elland Road for a friendly, Klich was virtually messing about with his mates as he sat on the bench with outcasts Helder Costa and Ian Poveda.
It was a night the head coach could not hide the situation with an experienced, senior player keen to fight for a World Cup berth. One week later, on the opening day of the season, Klich’s impact from the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers effectively won the match.
This was not someone Leeds could afford to lose. Conversations were had, air was cleared and, somehow, they found common ground. Klich would accept playing less, but Marsch made assurances there would be ample opportunity to impress Poland.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Evidently, Klich’s 199 league minutes were not enough to turn the eye of a Polish coach with a penchant for promoting their best youth assets.
That disappointment, coupled with the World Cup break and the impending January transfer window has neatly brought Klich once more to that most uncomfortable of crossroads. After 191 appearances, level with Mick Bates coincidentally, a Championship title and by far the best football of his career, is Klich ready for a new chapter?
There are a little over 18 months to run on his contract and he will be 34 by the time it expires. Typical career spans would suggest the cultured playmaker has one more meaningful move in him before retirement nears.
Clearly, for whatever reason, Marsch does not see Klich fitting into his first or second-choice gameplans. There are too many bodies between him and the first team to feel he will play regularly under the American.
If it’s when rather than if, what are the advantages of waiting until the summer? There may be more choices, more flexibility and more time for him and his family after May. It would also give him the space to bid Leeds farewell at his own pace.
Yet, it’s going to be another five months of his precious career consigned to history. United, of course, have a say in what happens too. Klich is a valuable and trustworthy head Marsch can call on if another injury crisis rips through his squad.
Perhaps a decision has already been reached. Marsch stopped himself saying too much in the bowels of Estadio Martínez Valero last night, but everyone could see the point the squad made of grabbing Klich after full-time.
The trophy was put in his hands, his head was pulled into chests and patted, it was him players wanted to ensure they shared that moment with. Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas, Luke Ayling, Adam Forshaw and Jack Harrison have shared the best moments of their careers with this man.
It was jarring because of the timing. There are still another three weeks until the January window opens and another two friendlies at Elland Road to play. This cannot be a goodbye yet. If it is, the Whites faithful will get their chance in the next fortnight.
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