Leeds United are back in the Premier League after two years of playing Championship football, but the Whites are still yet to resolve some long-term issues.
It’s fair to say Leeds United will bring in plenty of new faces this summer as they gear up towards another season in the top flight, but this time will be without stars that lit up their campaigns previously.
One of those is Raphinha, while Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter were differential attacking players in the second tier. However, the one player above any other who Leeds will miss not having is Pablo Hernandez.
The Spaniard scored 36 and assisted a further 41 goals for Leeds in 175 games, including 72 of those goal contributions at Championship level from 153 appearances. They still haven’t found a replacement for him after all these years, though.
Photo by LYNNE CAMERON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by LYNNE CAMERON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Four years have passed since Pablo Hernandez left Leeds United
‘El Mago’ or ‘The Magician’ was the shining light for the Whites during many of the recent years in the second tier. The Spaniard picked up three Player of the Season awards in four seasons during his time with the club at that level.
He joined in 2016 but Hernandez later became the heartbeat and magic of Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds side, often delivering in the most crucial of moments. His technical brilliance and vision made him one of the Championship’s standout players during his time at the club.
His skill and invention was a huge differential in tight games, with Hernandez able to make something out of nothing with Leeds at key moments and many of his goals and assists proved to be match-winners as well.
If Leeds needed a solution or for someone to pick a lock, Hernandez was often the answer. He was a man of class and character, as exemplified by his goal return but also in Hernandez sending Leeds a congratulatory message following promotion.
Season Appearances Goals Assists
2016/17 – Championship 38 6 8
2017/18 – Championship 43 9 10
2018/19 – Championship 41 12 12
2019/20 – Championship 36 9 9
2020/21 – Premier League 17 0 2
Pablo Hernandez’s Leeds United seasons
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In some ways, Raphinha took over the mantle of Leeds’ key attacking and creative influence from Hernandez. But Leeds don’t have that now, with ‘El Mago’ — meaning the magician — particularly apt to describe the Spaniard.
It just so happens that on this day in 2021, Leeds capped their Premier League return with a 3-1 win over already relegated West Bromwich Albion at Elland Road, with goals from Rodrigo, Kalvin Phillips, and Patrick Bamford.
That is significant as it marked Hernandez’s last game for the club. Fans returned to the stands in limited capacity from the COVID-19 restrictions to bid an emotional farewell to Gaetano Berardi but also Pablo Hernandez.
Hernandez has previously admitted that his best career form came with Leeds, specifically under the tutelage of Bielsa. He may be the player most fondly remembered at the club for the last 20 years, but the feeling is mutually strong as Hernandez also keeps an eye on Leeds.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Leeds have still not replaced Pablo Hernandez and it’s imperative to do so this summer
Leeds replaced some of that magic fleetingly when Rutter was repackaged into operating as more of an out-and-out No.10. However, that is not Brenden Aaronson’s game and never will be.
The USMNT international may have good athleticism and intensity in the press, as well as being durable and available often. But Aaronson lacks the speed of thought, flair, and weight of pass to succeed in that role above Championship level.
A true playmaker who can be a difference-maker and match-winner in the final third is now paramount. A player of Hernandez’s quality and calibre would be the ideal player for Daniel Farke’s attacking unit right now, with the German needing to strike a new balance in the Premier League.
Hernandez’s contribution to Leeds’ revival is immeasurable, making him an absolute icon in the eyes of the supporters, and one of their greatest-ever signings on a loan and then free transfer. Emulating that in any way, shape, or form has to be top of their priority list this summer.
The two areas which Leeds were weakest in, and/or lacked the most depth in, are the attacking midfield and goalkeeping positions. Aaronson has a place in a top flight squad but not with a starting berth and Illan Meslier won’t cut it next year.
Today marks four years since Hernandez’s departure but the club, truthfully, have never replaced him with a like-for-like player of his talent level and ability — one capable in a moment to conjure something out of nothing. Needs must this summer.