Leeds United have confirmed the signing of their young fullback, Tom Pearce to a new four-year-long contract and thus ending rumours of a free transfer to Rangers FC. This could be a massive loss for Steven Gerrard as the Light Blues manager is set to miss out on another potential target ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.
Delighted to have signed a new 4 year deal @LUFC Thankyou to everyone at the club and the fans for your support?? #lufc pic.twitter.com/giwiS7F61D
— Tom Pearce (@Tompearce98) June 7, 2018
Gerrard has done relatively well since his appointment as the Gers head coach by signing 4 players to the squad, Scott Arfield, Alan McGregor, Jamie Murphy and Ovie Ejaria. Pearce would have been the perfect talent to add to the defensive lineup to beef it up.
Pearce started out in the Everton youth academy before making the switch to Leeds in 2014. He worked his way up the Whites academy ranks to find a spot in this senior squad. The 20-year-old earned his first senior team call-up as one of the substitutes in the 2-1 FA Cup 3rd round defeat to Newport County.
He made his starting XI debut against Sheffield Wednesday this March. Just a few days later, the offensive-minded fullback scored his first goal for the side in the 2-1 triumph over Barnsley.
The Englishman has already shown promising signs of a bright future after impressing for his country’s U21 side. He is currently away with his international teammates for the Toulon tournament and looks set on impressing aplenty.
None of the other prospects in the left-back position have really worked out for Leeds in the past season. Laurens De Bock struggled to match the pace of English football and Gaetano Berardi remains a better suited to the right flank.
The fans at Elland Road would not necessarily enjoy a recap of the Charlie Taylor situation who was sold off for nothing and is currently thriving with Burnley in the top-flight. Leeds will have to keep a close eye on the young talents coming out of their own ranks if they plan on building a strong core group of players.
On the other hand, Rangers will now have to make sure that they can bring in a good enough player who will be able to cut the mustard at the Ibrox in the next season. The Teddy Bears have a strong midfield and a good enough attack but a leaky defence has been their weakest point and has seen them face heavy humiliation at the hands of their arch-rivals Celtic twice in the last season.
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Gerrard is well acquainted with the talented youngsters of the Liverpool Academy and should use his influence to bring in a few of them to Ibrox in the near future. It is ought to be a good move for both the youngsters, who will get a fair share of game time and also for the Scottish club, who will be looking to get the best out of them.
