Leeds United have taken to the top flight like a duck to water.

After spending 16 years away the Whites secured promotion last term after storming to glory in the Championship.

While winning the league by a huge margin, few predicted the way in which they would start the season.

A tally of 10 points from seven games so far has seen Marcelo Bielsa's side nestle safely into a mid-table position - something that I'm sure everyone will be thrilled with come the end of the season.

A lot of credit for that form has to go to the new signings.

While Diego Llorente and Raphinha are yet to really feature, Robin Koch and Rodrigo have already established themselves as mainstays in Bielsa's side.

They've undoubtedly improved the quality in the first team squad, but as a result it has knocked other players down the pecking order.

One of those is Pablo Hernandez.

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The Spanish veteran has been one of Leeds' main men in recent seasons but this term has seen him struggle to make a regular and consistent impact.

Hernandez has been limited to just two starts in the Premier League so far, and according to The Athletic's Phil Hay, his reduced role is something that he may have to get used to as he approaches the end of his career.

Speaking on The Phil Hay Show, Hay said: "There aren’t going to be an endless number of opportunities for him anymore.

“We are seven games into the season; he’s played just over a game and a half of that.

“When we interviewed him, he said to us, ‘the day when I find that everybody’s faster than me, or everybody thinks quicker than me, or everybody’s more talented than me, I will go.’

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“[That] time isn’t right now; he still feels like he’s got plenty about him.

“I just think he will find it difficult to accept the way the game is going, because he will want to play as well as he can for as long as he can, and he hasn’t got a huge amount of time left.”

GIVEMESPORT'S Phil Spencer says...

You have to feel for Pablo Hernandez.

The Spaniard is one of the most talented players to grace Elland Road over the last two decades and for that he deserves huge credit.

Unfortunately for him the stakes are higher now.

The physical demands of the Premier League are absolutely huge and with the greatest of respect it's perhaps unreasonable to expect him to cope with the demands for 90 minutes every week.

That doesn't mean that he doesn't have lots to offer, though.

Hernandez will still be a key player this term and I'm sure his quality will be vital as the campaign unfolds.