Back in Marcelo Bielsa’s first season at Leeds United, the club implemented the process of adding teen talents from around Europe with a hope that they would break into the first team at some stage.
It was hit and miss – much like Victor Orta’s overall tenure at Elland Road. Looking at the Leeds side now, some purchases from that era have come into the side. Cree Summerville and Pascal Struijk, notably.
But many didn’t work. Plenty came and went from Spain, the likes of Oriol Rey, Hugo Diaz and others. Kun Temenuzhkov played once for Bielsa, but is now playing in Gibraltar with minnows Lincoln Red Imps.
One player that looked like he was going to be a success was Poland talent Mateusz Bogusz. A potential long-term replacement for his fellow countryman, Mateusz Klich. But it never materialised for Bogusz.
Mateusz Bogusz finally showing form after Leeds United exit
Instead, the 22-year-old only managed three senior outings for Leeds before going out on loan. A spell at Logrones saw him struggle, but he starred at Ibiza – so much so they re-signed him for a second spell.
Finally, the potential was coming through – before an ACL injury hampered the 18-time Poland U21 star. Back to fitness, he moved to LAFC – following Klich’s footsteps in a different manner, across the pond.
It has worked. Klich in fact, convinced him of a move. He has been a bit inconsistent with LAFC, showing glimpses of magic but importantly, now a regular. Finally, playing plenty of games, week in, week out.
On Saturday, that magic came through. The Polish ace scored twice in a draw with Portland Timbers, in what was his 50th outing for LAFC. He posted on Instagram after the match, delighted with his goals.
Bogusz compared to Robert Lewandowski after weekend brace
There was always talent with Bogusz. That raw, street footballer kind of quality that needed some brain to go with it. Injury hampered any kind of progress he might have liked to have at Leeds – as did the loans.
It meant he was never around when Leeds needed a player, due to injury maybe. But now in America, he is doing what many at Leeds might have thought he was capable of and certainly, why we signed him.
His LAFC teammates, Timothy Tillman and Denis Bouanga, commented on his Instagram post – both comparing him with another fellow countryman – in the form of Polish goal machine Robert Lewandowski.
