Dominic Ball played a key part in helping Rangers climb their way up to the Premiership last season while on loan to Ibrox from Spurs. In the process, he became pretty much a heart-throb of the Blue half of Glasgow and despite their best efforts to bring the 21-year-old back on loan to the club, Rangers are yet to strike a deal. Championship side Leeds United are looking to pounce on the opportunity and bolster their defensive ranks as The Yorkshire Evening Post claims that the Whites want the 21-year-old on a season-long loan deal.
The reason why Ball played the waiting game with Rangers throughout the transfer window was because of the fact that the youngster wanted to impress Pochettino in the pre-season and establish himself as the club’s fourth choice centre-back which Spurs do not have right now. Mauricio Pochettino had been keen on testing Ball at a higher level in pre-season and despite starting against Juventus, he disappointed and was left out against Atletico Madrid.
Ball was highly impressive for Rangers last season on loan featuring in 30 games for the Gers as the Gers convincingly won the Scottish Championship to get back to where they belong i.e. the Premiership. English Championship would pose a whole new challenge to Ball and the 21-year-old can benefit from the experience of playing for a traditional big club like Leeds.
Ball would be a shrewd piece of addition to the Whites with his versatility. The English under-20 international can play at the heart of the defence, as a full-back and as a defensive midfielder. Leeds United are short of cover at centre-back, right-back and in defensive midfield, so it’s pretty much a match made in heaven.
Ball right now finds himself down in the pecking order under Pochettino at White Hart Lane and it would be better from the player’s point of view that he keeps his development going which can only be achieved if he plays. A strong season with Leeds can make Pochettino change his mind when the 21-year-old returns to his parent club next summer.
Highly regarded for his talents at Spurs, Ball suits Garry Monk’s football philosophy perfectly as he is a brilliant passer of the ball boasting a solid technique. Monk wants his defenders to play out of defence and Ball can do that. If the Whites can bring the youngster to Elland Road, it would be a canny piece of business.
