Dark clouds of absolute gloom are hovering over the Elland Road incessantly at this stroke of the hour, and quite rightly so. In the ongoing Championship season when it seemingly appeared, more often than not, that Leeds United would chisel a playoff berth in the Championship quite comfortably, the reality begged to differ as a series of catastrophic results have seen them bite the dust and succumb eventually.
The scenes weren’t elusive after the Whites drew 3-3 against Norwich City on Saturday. Evocating images of their lack of spine to get it done when it really mattered surfaced, and deciphering that they were actually not yet ready for the uplift, despite initial signs of flamboyance, did become the talk of the town. Garry Monk is not the only person to be blamed, for his troops did let him down massively.
Another season in the second tier of English football lingers ahead for the West Yorkshire based club which implies that they need to regroup themselves from here on with a fine camaraderie, although who is going to marshal them is still an unsolved puzzle.
Charlie Taylor, who has been fantastic for the club ever since his loan move from Swansea City, might be heading for the exit route after Leeds United’s failure to earn a promotion and thus, pushing the club into taking proactive measures to get someone in their arsenal to solidify their left-back slot.
One of the Premier League players which the Peacocks could possibly target in the summer is Middlesbrough’s full-back George Friend. In the top flight, the sword of relegation is all set to fall upon the Smoggies and considering that Leeds United would really push for a promotion next campaign might see them make this switch. Taylor has been a quality player and it would only make sense if Leeds United replaces him with another quality player like Friend.
Predominantly a left-back, Friend is a player who can play as a central defender or a left-sided midfielder as well. He is a modern day fullback who doesn’t need a second invitation for launching himself forward and defends equally well. His well-built frame gives him an aerial advantage and he is an unafraid man who never refrains from making shrewd tackles or clearing the dangerous balls when needed. In doing so, has played a pivotal role for Middlesbrough this term.
So far this campaign, the 29-year-old left-back has mustered a fine reputation for himself: collecting two assists in 21 appearances for his employers. Besides, he has registered 2.7 tackles, 2.5 interceptions, 3.6 clearances, 0.4 blocks, 0.2 crosses and 0.5 key passes per game on an average, which are quite decent numbers for a Premier League’s fullback.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the experience he has on the English soil will make him an intriguing addition to the ranks of Leeds United and he is someone who should top the wish-list of the club when they go out to hunt their targets during the summer transfer window.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored
