Shining light: How Leeds youngster can save Radrizzani from splashing out to solve problem area
COMMENT By Will Butcher
Leeds desperately need a new centre-back following the loss of Kyle Bartley but owner Andrea Radrizzani need not splash his cash once again this summer.
Sweden international Pontus Jansson is suspended for Leeds’ first two games and leaves head coach Thomas Christiansen with just two central defenders until he is able to return to action.
New signing Matthew Pennington and Liam Cooper combined at centre-back in Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Oxford, but Paudie O’Connor should make the step up to provide cover.
The 20-year-old defender was signed by Leeds back in March but is yet to make a senior appearance for the Yorkshire giants, and instead captaining the Whites’ Under-23 side.
However, the Irishman has featured for Christiansen’s side during pre-season and was a member of the squad that travelled to Austria to face Borussia Monchengladbach and Eibar.
Showing quality with the ball at his feet, O’Connor can play at right-back as well as centre-back and is highly-rated within the Leeds youth academy.
Possessing strong aerial ability and a defensive intelligence that allows him to read an opponent’s next move, O’Connor could be the man to provide cover as a fourth centre-back in the squad.
With Jansson sidelined, the Irish shining light must be given the chance to make the step up and sit on the substitutes bench as cover for Cooper and Pennington.
Christiansen is likely to have spent near enough all of his transfer budget after bringing in nine new first-team players, with plenty of money being spent on the likes of Jansson, Samuel Saiz, Mateusz Klich and Hadi Sacko.
With the repurchasing of Elland Road also being confirmed, Christiansen is unlikely to receive any more backing from Radrizzani and using the inner depths of the squad is the order of the day.
Step forward O’Connor, who can fill the void at the back, saving Radrizzani from opening up his cheque book once again.
Impressing throughout the summer, the former Limerick defender deserves a chance in the first team and would save owner Radrizzani from having to spend money once again.
In other Leeds transfer news, the Whites should battle Yorkshire rivals Hull to sign this Premier League left-back.
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