Leeds United endured another campaign of mediocrity as they failed to finish anywhere close to the playoff spots in the Championship last season. The Whites have given the fans plenty of reason to be excited for the next season, as they have landed a reputed coach in Marcelo Bielsa for their side.
The owners are now determined to give all the tools needed for the Argentine to take the club close to the top flight next season. This has seen Leeds United be linked with some exciting names for a move this summer and the latest name doing the rounds is Joe Bryan.
Born and brought up in Bristol, the 24-year graduated from the academy at Bristol City in 2011, but only established himself in the first team in 2013, after City were relegated to League One. Bryan soon became the first choice left-back at the club and helped them back to the Championship in just a couple of seasons.
Since then, he has been one of the most consistent players in his role in the competition and it does not come as a surprise that clubs like Leeds are interested in his services.
A strong and defensively disciplined full-back, Bryan loves to make interceptions by cutting out passing lanes and is a smart defender. He is quick to win the ball back on the wing and is also adept at releasing the ball quickly to set his team on the counters. He is not too creative in the final third but does have a decent cross up his shoulder.
He can also dribble past opposition full-backs and is hard to stop when in full flow. However, he is at his best at the back, when his side are under pressure as he loves to soak it all up and usually relishes tough opportunities. At 24, he already has 202 league appearances at Ashton Gate and is an established full-back. And his ability to play as a wing-back or even as a right-back, make him even bigger an asset for Bielsa.
It is understood that Newcastle United are desperate for Bryan and are ready to make a £6m bid while Middlesbrough and Leeds United remain interested. However, the Robins are holding out for a fee close to £10m, which might be a bit expensive for Leeds.
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Gaetano Berardi and Vurnon Anita were used extensively last season at Elland Road but Bryan adds a different dimension to the backline and will probably be an upgrade on the options currently in the squad. But do you think Leeds should spend £10m on the Bristol City man?
