The doom n’ gloom was circling Elland Road in the summer when it was revealed that key defender Pontus Jansson was to leave the club. Social media was awash with wailings and cries.
Bad attitude and such was said to be the reason behind his leaving, that and a breakdown in the relationship between him and Marcelo Bielsa. His leaving left fans looking to the transfer market to replace him with a ‘name’ in the hope that the improved defensive cohesiveness under Bielsa didn’t go to waste.
That name, as it transpired, was Brighton’s rated centre-back, Ben White. Ben Who? That became something of a rallying call around the Facebook groups and Twitter newsfeeds linked to Leeds United fans. That ‘who’ bit was pretty much answered very quickly.
Since his coming to Elland Road, young starlet White has settled into the swing of things and has put in 18 consistent performances which have wiped away both doubts of his defensive capablilities and thoughts of Pontus Jansson. Such is the level of his performance that Whites fans are a.) wishing the club could buy him and b.) worrying about a January recall to bolster an inconsistent Brighton and Hove Albion side.
The former is unlikely, with every game seeming to add value to his transfer fee whilst also brining more interest from the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle United. However, perhaps the latter might be of added comfort due to thoughts voiced by Seagulls boss Graham Potter to the Argus.
Speaking specifically on strengthening in the January window, Potter said that Albion have no great urge to do so and that he is more concerned in working with those he has at his disposal. On this front, he specifically stated: “I don’t think we are at the maximum of where we are now in terms of performances. We can still improve. There’s no burning desire to do anything, it’s more can we carry on improving?”
Whilst he is specifically speaking about January incomings, the fact that he wishes to improve what he already has been working with could be very good news indeed for Leeds United fans worried about losing Ben White to a January recall.
