Two Players Who Could Help Leeds Achieve Promotion Next Season
Leeds United have missed out on what looked like a certain play-off place and could now face the possibility of losing some key players over the summer.
New owner Andrea Radrizzani may have to resist the temptation to accept offers for Charlie Taylor and Ronaldo Vieira among others, as well as coping with the possibilities of the departures of loan duo Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson.
Given the upward curve they have been on, as well as the size and scope of the club, they can still prove themselves as promotion candidates next season, with a little investment on the squad. Here we look at two players who would be realistic signings and could prove crucial to their advancement next season:
David Stockdale
Rob Green essentially lost his England place not because of his lack of overall ability, but for concentration worries which led to crucial mistakes. Everyone remembers the goal he conceded against the USA in the World Cup back in 2010 and he slid towards the lower end of the Premier League after that.
He now finds himself in the Championship but he is still not free from his unfortunate penchant for a crucial mistake; see Newcastle’s first goal in their 2-0 win at Elland Road back in November. David Stockdale, to be fair, will be hoping for a new contract at the Amex, as he has been a crucial figure in Brighton’s promotion this season.
Named in the Championship Team of the Year this season, his performances have regularly kept Brighton alive in games and has been a big reason they have become a top level team. If Leeds could nab him, they would have a player capable of playing at a higher level for sure.
Danny Batth
Leeds’ defence, albeit in a worst case scenario, could go from hugely enviable to being destroyed in no time. Kyle Bartley’s loan ends after Sunday and so does Pontus Jansson’s. With no promotion on the cards, the Swede may not take up his option to stay permanently. Liam Cooper is becoming popular too and will be another one whose future the owner has to decide on.
At least one new centre-back appears to be needed then, and Wolves’ skipper Batth could be ideal for them. Batth has been tremendous at Wolverhampton Wanderers this season but sadly for the West Midlands club, it’s hard to see them improving sufficiently under Paul Lambert anytime soon.
Danny Batth is the type of player who could go from being an unknown to being in England contention within a year. Such is the nature of football on these shores. So a move up the footballing ladder would be desirable for him.
