It has been a dramatic summer at Leeds United so far, and the club’s hierarchy will be looking to challenge for promotion to the Premier League once again. However, this will be under different management as Thomas Christiansen replaced Garry Monk who had resigned earlier in the summer before joining Championship rivals Middlesbrough.
The Whites agonisingly missed out on the Championship play-offs under Monk last time out but will be looking to go one better under Christiansen’s guidance.
Christiansen has recruited well so far in this transfer window with several signings including the likes of Samuel Saiz Alonso, Ergjan Alioski, Vurnon Anita, Caleb Ekuban, Mateusz Klich and Felix Wiedwald. All of these signings add something different to Leeds’ squad, but it is only Anita who arrives with any sort of Championship experience as he made the switch from Newcastle United. This could be an area of concern for Leeds supporters.
There have also been many departures from the Elland Road, in an attempt to clear-out the ‘deadwood’ which has accumulated over recent years. The likes of Giuseppe Bellusci, Marco Silvestri, Ross Turnbull, Jordan Botaka have all left the club having failed to impress Christiansen in pre-season.
We take a look at whether or not Leeds really needed to loan Manchester United left-back Cameron Borthwick-Jackson.
A player with tremendous potential
There is no doubt that the 20-year-old left-back has a significant amount of potential following his breakthrough from the academy set-up at Old Trafford.
However, one thing that will concern Leeds’ supporters is Borthwick Jackson’s poor loan spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers last season where he could only make a total of six league appearances despite joining on a season-long loan. He did not impress during his time at Molineux, and this was the main reason for his lack of match action. If he does make a move to Elland Road, it may take him a while to get up to speed.
A replacement for Charlie Taylor?
Borthwick-Jackson may be arriving on loan at Leeds as a direct replacement for Charlie Taylor who left the club a few weeks ago to join Premier League side Burnley for a fee of around £5 million. 23-year-old Taylor had established himself as one of the club’s best players after coming through their youth setup, and his departure will, without a doubt, be a big loss for the Whites.
Borthwick-Jackson may not be as good a player as Taylor, but they certainly have similar qualities. They are both young full-backs who have plenty of pace to burn down the left-hand side. Borthwick-Jackson cannot afford to have another poor spell and will, therefore, be eager to impress at Elland Road.
Gaetano Berardi not fancied by Christiansen?
One player who may have been pleased by Taylor’s departure is Gaetano Berardi. Due to Taylor’s consistent performances last season, the 28-year-old full-back did not get many opportunities to impress. He made a total of 26 league appearances last season and will have been hoping to increase this tally in the upcoming campaign.
However, following Borthwick-Jackson’s loan, Berardi’s time on the sidelines could be extended.
We’ve have someone now who can get to the bye line and cross with his left foot. This will free Aloiski to play on the right wing where he played last season and scored his goals cutting inside onto his left. Luke Ayling overlapping and crossing with his right foot. Kamar Roofe on the left wing cutting in onto his right foot with Jackson overlapping. Balanced team.
We’ve have someone now who can get to the bye line and cross with his left foot. The will free Aloiski to play on the right wing where he played last season and scored his goals cutting inside into his left. Luke Ayling overlapping and crossing with his right foot. Kamar Roofe on a he left wing cutting in onto his right foot with Jackson overlapping. Balanced team.
Even if Berardi plays at left back, Leeds always needed to sign a left back to replace Taylor and Borthwick-Jackson is a natural left footed player, unlike the right footed Berardi, who also gets injured quite a bit.
Denton may be slightly older than Borthwick-Jackson, but he’s not ready yet.
I think it makes sense if he plays well. Berardi as we know is naturally a right back while Luke Ayling can also cover as a centre back. The signing of a left back frees up Berardi as cover for both full backs and Ayling as cover for centre back. The whole back four has someone to cover now.
Too early to tell as we have not played a game yet.
If he is really good it will be a great buy etc. etc.
We have to trust the manager and his team!
Berardi only missed a few games through injury in 1st game of season .. Taylor went to Burnley for between 5 and 7 million .. This is total hack journalism.. Gutted I wasted my time reading it..
Dave
Thanks for pointing out an error in Charlie Taylor’s transfer fee, it stands corrected now. However, Gaetano Berardi made 29 total appearances (26 in Championship) so the presented facts are correct. Thanks for the feedback.