Leeds: Jesse Marsch dealt further setback in fight for survival

by George McGibbon share

3 minute read 19/5/2022 | 08:45am

Leeds United have been dealt a potentially huge setback in their bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by Leeds Live, Steven Gerrard revealed that Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is now a doubt to face Leeds’ relegation rivals Burnley this evening, as the 29-year-old picked up a knock in training on Wednesday morning.

Regarding the current condition of the Argentina international, Gerrard said: “Emi is a doubt at the moment. We’re just analysing the situation that happened [on Wednesday] in training, but I think he’ll play and he’ll be fine. It was just a knock in training. We’ll analyse it.

“If he’s not there, Robin [Olsen] is champing at the bit. He’s been awesome. He’s trained well and he’s ready and I’ll have no qualms putting Robin in if I have to. If Emi’s fit and he’s fine – we’ll assess him in the next hour or two – then he’ll play.”

Awful news for Leeds

With a Burnley victory over Aston Villa making Leeds’ chances of securing survival on the final day of the season almost impossible, the fact that Martinez is now a doubt for the visit of the Clarets this evening is undoubtedly awful news for the Whites.

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Indeed, over his 35 Premier League appearances this term, the £28.8m-rated shot-stopper has been a rock between the Villa sticks, helping his side keep 11 clean sheets, as well as making an average of 2.6 saves and conceding 1.3 goals per game.

These returns have seen the £47k-per-week Argentine average a very impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.83, ranking him as Gerrard’s tenth-best performer in the English top flight.

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As such, should Martinez indeed be ruled out of action for the Burnley clash, it would simultaneously provide the Clarets’ chances of survival with a significant boost and deal Leeds’ hopes of avoiding the drop with a huge blow – with Jesse Marsch and everyone involved with the Whites surely hoping that the 29-year-old will be deemed fit for tonight’s crucial clash.

AND in other news: Marsch must axe “non-existent” £58k-p/w Leeds flop for “phenomenal” 49-goal talent