Stoke will not have to dispatch training ground spies to Leeds ahead of their game his weekend after Marcelo Bielsa named his entire starting line-up two days in advance of the match.
The Argentinian is at the centre of the 'spygate' storm which saw him send a coach to watch Derby train before their match against Leeds last week. Leeds won the game 2-0, although the controversy has carried on.
Bielsa held a 70 minute press conference on Wednesday explaining why the scouting trip had not been significant, and made Stoke boss Nathan Jones' job easier for him with the announcement of his team on Thursday.
He revealed that new signing Kiko Casilla, who joined Leeds from Real Madrid on Thursday, would not be in the team and he would instead select the same side that played Derby.
Bielsa said: 'Today has been Casilla's first training session with us. He won't play against Stoke, even if he is fit to play. We'll see the evolution in the next few days.' That means Bailey Peacock-Farrell will continue in goal. His defence will consist of Luke Ayling, Pontus Jansson, Liam Cooper and Gjanni Alioski.
Adam Forshaw, Mateusz Klich, Jack Clarke, Pablo Hernandez and Jack Harrison will feature in midfield while Kemar Roofe, who scored against Derby, will play up front.
The 63-year-old also hailed Leeds' director of football Victor Orta for his role in Casilla's arrival: 'Of course we needed an alternative for the goalkeeper position. I don't have to make any comment on Casilla because his career speaks for itself.
'And the fact that he has chosen to play in Leeds is a successful institution.
'Victor Orta is responsible for the arrival, for the signing of Kiko Casilla. And the analysis of the compatibility of his skills has been done by Marcos Abad, our goalkeeping coach.
'The fact that the goalkeeper from Real Madrid comes to Leeds, and I think that the owner of the club should be proud of being able to attract this kind of player.'
kazoo
1
I'd love for that to happen but I doubt this twat knows anything. More reputable journos have said it's nothing of that sort and I'm going to believe them.
easyde
0
I don't know if I've kept up with everything that's gone on with this today, but I hope this was posted before the press conference where he just came out and admitted to spying on every team Leeds has played. Would be hilariously the opposite of a resignation.
Brown83
0
Really can't see it being for him to resign, but if it was however unlikely Jansson would look really stupid wouldn't he
Rockmans
0
resign or re-sign? I hope not. I like the guy. I know other teams are mad at him but he is a fun personality that I wanted to see in EPL.
Rraran
0
Absolutely ridiculous how big the spy thing has become. I'm 100% certain teams spy on eachother all the time. He just happend to get caught. And now he might even step down because of it? I mean really? Ridiculous imo.
izzuet
0
After seeing the Leeds public disaproval towards Bielsa's actions i imediatly thought that EL Loco might not like it..
hoisted
0
Sounds crazy but he's called 'El Loco' for a reason.
Pharaohes
0
This would be so Leeds Utd to be favourites for promotion at this stage and then lose their manager and fall away.
massively
0
Can't help but think there has been a massive overreaction though, Mourinho gouged someones eye and kept his job yet this guy sends someone to watch a training session and is gonna lose his.
Richarder
0
C'mon.. no way is he resigning. He's doing fantastic it just wouldn't make sense at all.
happylife
0
Bielsa career Eat - Sleep - Resign - Repeat
badly
0
HE SPIES WHEN HE WANTS
dossier
0
He's also going to announce the Stoke line up tonight
Josephs
0
Bielsa has pulled the entire English football establishments pants down. A lot of these so called footballer expert we're having a humble breakfast this morning.
Loversad
0
He obviously knows enough about Stoke to announce a team that will keep them awake for the next two nights!
Treykiss
0
Love you mr bielsa ! Your 5 years ahead of every other manager in the championship
Ricky999
0
This guy will never stop to amaze me,after the spygate scandal he puts all his cards on the table almost 30hrs before he faces his opponents??? I can't wait to see him in the premier league, its going to be awesome
Zidpsu
2
if you beat stoke city, they will only complain that you spied 🤔🤔