Out of nowhere, James Justin of Luton Town seems to be one of the hottest property in the English third tier as Nottingham Forest are reportedly interested in making a move for this right back. Just a few days back Leeds United were linked with this talented fullback, and it was believed that Marcelo Bielsa, who attended the game where Luton took on Barnsley, was personally there to keep an eye on this 20-year-old right back.
Earlier reports came out that United had identified three areas where they want to strengthen, and a defender was on the list. However, we believe the club is in desperate need of a centre-back instead of a fullback. So one cannot be sure how keen the Whites would be in signing Justin from Luton Town. This is not the first time that the Whites have shown an interest in him as the youngster has been targeted before this year.
The Tricky Tree joining the race makes things interesting for the Whites. However, from the player’s point of view, United should be a more lucrative option as they look more likely to move to the Premier League this season under the influential Marcelo Bielsa. However, the Reds aren’t doing too poorly themselves as they are fifth on the table and have been active in the last few transfer windows.
Luke Ayling and Jamie Shackleton are the two options which Bielsa has in the right back position. Ayling has been a regular, and he has done exceptionally well in the demanding system that the gaffer has at Elland Road. A lot depends on his runs and ability to stretch the pitch, and the Englishman has been immense. However, Bielsa might be thinking of bringing some depth, or maybe he feels young Shackleton isn’t good enough to be a regular in that position.
We also have a wild theory to propose how Justin can be fitted into the eleven. We have seen Bielsa playing fullbacks in the centre-back positions, and Ayling played as a centre-half in the Swansea City game due to some injury crisis to other defenders. Gaetano Berardi has already been playing as a centre-half, so maybe Ayling could be turned into a centre-back, and the gaffer is looking at Justin to fill in the vacated right back spot.
Or maybe the 20-year-old could be tried as a centre back though we feel the Luton Town man is suited to play as a fullback and/or as a wideman only. It remains to be seen what lies in future for the player and whether he would move up a division in January with either Leeds United or Nottingham Forest.
