Why Bristol City’s Josh Brownhill Could Be A Shrewd Signing For Leeds United In The Summer
Leeds United are plotting a move for Bristol City midfielder Josh Brownhill at the end of the season, as per reports from the Sunday’s Sun (h/t Bristol Post).
The 22-year old has been one of the Robins’ better players this season and new Leeds manager Paul Heckingbottom is understood to be a huge admirer of the midfielder, having worked with him in the past during his days at Sheffield Wednesday.
Brownhill started off with the Academy of Preston North End and had a brief loan spell away at Burnley in 2016, where he worked with Heckingbottom. The midfielder moved to Bristol City in the summer of 2016 and has grown into a key player for the Robins this term as they look to mount a challenge for the playoff position.
Leeds were reportedly interested in the midfielder in the summer as well, but Brownhill put an end to all those speculations by signing a new contract with Bristol City in December last year, extending his stay at the Ashton Gate until 2021. However, the report from Sun claims that there is a possibility that he could leave in the summer.
Brownhill, this season, has featured in 37 games across all competitions for the Robins, scoring 3 goals and registering 3 assists in the process. A central midfielder by trade, who can also seamlessly slot into any position on the right flank, the 22-year-old is known for his positional flexibility and the ability and intent to drive his team forward each time he has the ball at his feet.
The energy and the exuberance that he would be able to bring to the table has somewhat been lacking in the Leeds setup this season. The Whites have a whole bunch of midfielders on their books – Eunan O’Kane, Ronaldo Vieira, Kalvin Phillips and Adam Forshaw.
However, apart from Forshaw who has impressed of late, none of the others can claim of having sealed a starting berth for themselves at the Elland Road. O’Kane especially has been struggling to deliver solid performances, while Vieira is more of a defensive-minded player and Phillips has blown hot and cold over the course of the season.
In this situation, bringing in a player of the ilk of Brownhill, who has that natural dynamism and energy about himself could prove to be a smart move for the Whites. The 22-year-old will add an alternate dimension to this Leeds midfield that has seemed too unidimensional at times this term and playing alongside someone like Forshaw or Vieira, he could forge a solid partnership in the centre of the park. Also, his ability to play on the right-wing will also provide the manager with more options at his disposal.
It remains highly unlikely that Bristol City would sell a promising talent as Brownhill in the summer, having only recently tied him down to a new contract but if the opportunity does present itself, Leeds should definitely pounce and capture the talented 22-year-old.