Real Madrid have Nacho Fernandez. Liverpool have James Milner. While they do not get as much attention on or off the pitch as the regular stars, their role in the squad’s success is crucial.
From his five seasons in the Championship to the two seasons in the Premier League, Stuart Dallas has taken up the mantle of the ‘utility man’ and has fulfilled this role numerous times for Leeds United.
Dallas has made 23 starts out of 23 possible matches this season kicking off right where he left off last season where he started in all 38 PL fixtures.
His presence has been vital for Marcelo Bielsa this season as Leeds have already lost a horde of key players to long term injuries such as Patrick Bamford, Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips.
Hence, more than the 3-0 loss against Everton on Saturday, Leeds fans would perhaps be anxious about the Irishman now having gone off injured in the 8th minute of the game. A quick recovery for Dallas would be a massive boost in their fight to fend off relegation.
Hoping for a prompt return, Leeds fans have a new chant for the Irishman ready, expressing their love for what he does for the team.
Oh Stewart Dallas, he comes from Cookstown,
— Isaac (@lufcIsaac) February 12, 2022
But he was made to play for leeds,
He’ll play at right back,
He’ll play at left back,
He’ll play wherever Bielsa needs#lufc pic.twitter.com/QPpJhkLzXe
In reality, the chant does not do full justice to Dallas as it does not comprise the entire list of positions he has played in.
In this season’s Premier League, he has played for Bielsa’s men as a left-back, a right-back, a central midfielder, a central defensive midfielder and as a right defensive midfielder, according to whoscored.com.
Keen for him to add more positions to his growing CV, Leeds fans and the utility chant will be awaiting last season’s Leeds Player of the Year’s return to action for them.
