After 17 long years, Leeds United are back in the Premier League. Marcelo Bielsa led his side to the promotion along with winning the Championship title. And according to O Jogo, the Whites are in operation to entice Lyanco from Serie A side, Torino. The 23-year-old has represented both Serbia and Brazil at the youth level. Di Marzio has revealed that the £22.6 million-rated youngster is looking to move from his current club and look for new challenges. This move comes from the promoted side after they missed on Jonathan David in the summer transfer window. We take a look at why Lyanco should move to Elland Road?
Why Leeds United should go for the defender?
Gaetano Berardi is suffering a long-term injury, and it is going to keep him out for up to nine months. However, Marcelo Bielsa expects Ben White to return to Elland Road permanently. As the deal is still up in the air, Leeds United are predictably on the look-out for a new center-back. The report also claims that Marcelo Bielsa’s side is in a stronger financial position because of promotion and would look to capitalize on the situation as Sporting CP failed to match Torino’s asking price for the defender. However, Leeds could face added competition from the likes of Lille and Bologna.
Lyanco was undoubtedly one of the standout performers for the Italian side in the 2019/20 season. According to Whoscored, Lyanco has accumulated good numbers despite featuring just 15 times for the side. His best performance came against Juventus and Ronaldo despite the team going down by 1-0.
The Brazilian masterminded a superb rearguard performance against CR7, foiling the multiple-time Ballon d’Or winner on numerous occasions. According to Sofascore, Lyanco and his teammates did not give Cristiano Ronaldo a clean look at the goal. The former Real Madrid superstar had seven total shots in the entire game but only found the target on three of them.
While Lyanco made team-highs of four clearances, two blocked shots, and two tackles, Ronaldo conceded possession 12 times and lost more than 50% of his duels. And, not to mention, he won 75% of the challenges that he contested on the ground.
Lyanco should move to Elland Road as he could well be the player to step up in their shoes, with the 6’2″, shackled Ronaldo with aplomb. Apart from the stats from the single game, the player has a pass percentage of 85.3. Also, in 1181 minutes, the player has accounted for 1.4 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game. With Leeds searching for a center-back to potentially marshal them and both Berardi and potentially White’s absence next season, Torino defender can be a solution.
