Why Signing Huddersfield’s Scott Malone Would Be A Shrewd Move By Leeds United
Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds United are reportedly planning a surprise move to sign Huddersfield Town left-back Scott Malone in January. The 26-year-old left Fulham in the summer after his side’s failure to gain promotion to the Premier League, signing on in Yorkshire.
Given his excellent form last season at Craven Cottage, it was expected that he would be first-choice this term for the Terriers and was given the No.3 shirt. However, he has failed to usurp Chris Lowe from that spot and has made just two substitute appearances in the league this term and two starts in the league cup.
Leeds, as we discussed on these pages recently, failed to properly replace Charlie Taylor this summer when he left for Burnley and as admirable Gaetano Berardi is, the club really need a proper attacking left-back if they are to be a complete side.
As well as Berardi, Thomas Christiansen has fielded Manchester United youngster Cameron Borthwick-Jackson in this position during his current load period from Old Trafford, but neither player has truly cut the mustard so far.
Malone was a part of the Championship Team of the Year last season as his sparkling attacking displays from left-back earned him many a plaudit and it was thought that he would complement the man taking the other full-back spot in that team, Tommy Smith, perfectly.
If reports are to be believed, Leeds are ready to splash the cash in January and if Malone is indeed available, then he should be a priority.
Whatever the reason is for his failure to secure a first XI spot at Huddersfield this term, the fact is that he comfortably outplayed Charlie Taylor in this division last season and so with the short to medium term in mind, he would be the perfect left-back to help them achieve promotion from the Championship.
Malone’s figures of 6 goals and 3 assists from full-back position last season were no doubt exaggerated somewhat due to Fulham’s swashbuckling style and their formation choice meant he provided most of the attacking width down the left.
However, even in previous seasons in this division for Cardiff City, bearing in mind he was not always playing in the most attack-minded sides, he managed 2 assists in just 12 games in 2014/15 and 2 goals and 4 assists in 15/16 before his move to Fulham.
This sort of prowess, allied with Leeds’ many other strengths, could be the final piece of the promotion puzzle for Thomas Christiansen and so if a deal can be done, they should pull out all the stops.