Leeds United are going to need a new centre-back this summer ahead of next season’s Championship campaign and a bit of experience is much-needed under Daniel Farke.
Farke alluded to it recently, when he claimed Leeds do not have a player like Ipswich captain Sam Morsy. Leeds certainly lack a regular in the starting line-up that is beyond the age of 27 or 28, which is crucial.
Junior Firpo and Glen Kamara often find themselves the eldest player in the team, unless injury prone duo Patrick Bamford and Sam Byram are fit. Even then, Bamford and Byram might not be picked to start.
Leeds need experience, and will need centre-backs. Liam Cooper looks set to depart the club on a free transfer even with the club failing to get promoted, and his hope that he will be handed a new contract.
Joe Rodon is not expected to sign on at Elland Road now given Leeds have failed to go up. Even if Rodon wanted to, a Championship club are hardly going to be able to afford to sign a player like the Welsh ace.
Southampton could offer solution for Leeds in Jan Bednarek
Southampton of course, are set for a completely different summer. Having beaten Leeds in the play-off final at Wembley, Russell Martin will be looking to bolster bid options in order to survive relegation.
In order to bring in new signings, he will have to rid himself of a few players and Jan Bednarek is one of those he could let go. The Sun’s Alan Nixon reports on his Patreon channel that the Saints could ‘cash in’.
Bednarek is about to enter the final 12 months of his Southampton deal and despite playing 47 times last season, the “immense” star’s seven-year stint could come to an end this summer if the right offer arrives.
Bednarek is exactly what Leeds need in central defence
Ask any Leeds fans what the club lacked last season, and it was experience to get over the line in the final few weeks and height from set-pieces. Two key areas if you are to be promoted from The Championship.
A set-piece can be the difference against a low block, the undoing of Leeds this season. Corners and free kicks can also be a weapon for those playing a low-block, both of which Leeds fans saw at Huddersfield.
Bednarek would fill a void left by Rodon, add some much-needed height and prowess from set-pieces and plenty of experience at Premier League and Championship level, for a cheap fee given he cost £5m.