Former Premier League star Paul Robinson has claimed that Leeds United have taken a “calculated risk” by signing Jean-Kevin Augustin and added that the player must have had off the pitch issues or an attitude problem.
“I think Man United tried to steal him and it was Bielsa who turned his head” said Robinson speaking to MOT Leeds News.
“There are question marks for me though. He played for PSG as a youngster, PSG sold him for £14m. Why would PSG sell him?
“There’s obviously something up there, whether it’s his attitude or how he acts off the field.
“He’s obviously talented, he played for the France Under-21s, he’s an undoubted talent but that has to be nurtured under Bielsa.
“He’s perhaps matured and realised that Bielsa is the type of manager he needs to play for. It’s a risk but a calculated risk by Leeds.”
The 22-year-old became the Whites marquee signing this month and he is highly-rated after having previously turned out for the likes of PSG, RB Leipzig and Monaco.
The Leeds man has however so far struggled to full fill his potential. After maintaining consistency throughout the first half of the season, the Whites have been struggling in terms of form lately.
Though they are still in the running for an automatic promotion ahead of next season, the Whites need to carry on maintaining consistency or else they could possibly end up missing out on promotion as happened last season.
Augustin spent the first-half of the season with Monaco and he went on to make 13 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goals.
The Leeds man definitely has the potential to star in the Championship and many will feel that the English second tier is a step down for him.
Marcelo Bielsa will be hoping that the former France U-21 player can help to bring a lot of goals to his side. Augustin is certainly a good replacement for Eddie Nketiah who returned to his parent club Arsenal earlier this month.
Though a striker, Augustin is capable of playing anywhere across the Leeds forward line. Former RB Leipzig coach Ralph Hasenhuttl famously once described him as being “the full package”.