Jean-Kevin Augustin raring to go, but when will Bielsa let him off the leash?

Marcelo Bielsa and Jean-Kévin Augustin sat down with the press ahead of Saturdays game against Wigan and it’s clear ‘Big Kev’ is chopping at the bit to get started. On settling in at Leeds United he said; “It's going really well. I have had a great welcome from everyone. Fans, staff, players have been great. I've settled in quicker than I thought.” Asked if he feels ready, he said yes, but appreciated that it may take time to adapt to both the Championship and Bielsa’s system; “Fitness wise and physically I feel ready. When you're coming into a new group you need time to adapt. It's down to the coach. I'm ready to play, but I understand if the coach brings me on for a few minutes to slowly adapt. I think the Championship is a lot more intense than in France.”

Leeds fans have been craving different options up front and it looks like we’ve got that with Augustin; “I think I'm pretty quick. I'm fast. Mobile. I'm comfortable running in behind as I am dropping deep. I'm happy to run hard. I like to think I'm decent in front of goal but that is something you always have to work on.” Creating chances has never been an issue for Leeds. That must be encouraging for any new striker coming in; “For sure. It's joyful when as a goal scorer you score and create. It gives status to the team. If you can help the team to win it's great. Leeds are a team that create lots of chances, so it's pleasing. I have to work hard with the other players.”





Augustin had his first experience of Elland Road on Tuesday night under the lights against Millwall, a baptism of fire you could say. Both Ian Poveda and Jean-Kévin Augustin in the stands seemed to thrive in the atmosphere; “It's amazing. Extraordinary. Just to be in the stands was amazing. I don't know what it will be like on the pitch. It was amazing how they drove the team on to win. It makes you want to die for the club and the team.” Sound like he’ll fit right in!

Whilst ‘Big Kev’ may be raring to go we know Bielsa likes to take time introducing new players to the squad and it sounds like it will be no different with Leeds United’s new, potentially most expensive ever, player. “It's too soon to evaluate that. It's also natural that the adaptation is not going to be short. For our last experience that we have had, it's always a process that takes one month.” Fitness appears not to be an issue, Augustin has been training and playing (If not regularly) and is in good condition. It’s the adjustment to the system that will take time; “He played a few days ago. It's a player that is well trained. He has good natural physical condition. But when you have to adapt to one thing, it is more than that. It depends on many factors.”

So ‘Big Kev’ wants to get going, the fans want to see what he can do but we might have to wait a few weeks for Bielsa to let him off the leash.