In a recent interview with Football Insider, former Leeds United defender Danny Mills tipped his old club to secure the services of Jack Harrison permanently after a £7m drop in his price-tag. Mills said (via Football Insider), “At the end of last season I think Manchester City wanted £15million for him, he is good, but he has not got a pack of diamonds in his pocket.
“That was a little bit expensive for how well he had done. Now, the option at £8million is very viable indeed.
“He reminds me of Jason Wilcox. He is going to hug the touchline, get good crosses into the box and works his socks off. Very rarely lets you down. He is of that ilk. He is not the type of player that will get you 15 goals a season but what he gives you is width and work rate.
“At £8million, whether it is Premier League or Championship, it is a really good buy.”
The Athletic’s Phil Hay had reported last month that the Whites were planning on making Harrison’s loan move permanent at the end of this campaign. The same source had also claimed that Leeds have the option to sign the talented wide player for £8m this summer.
Why Harrison Will Be Better Off Remaining A Leeds Player
The Stoke-on-Trent born talent is on the verge of completing his two-year loan spell at Leeds in this off-season. He has made some significant improvements to his game from last season. The English wing wizard has also become familiar with Marcelo Bielsa’s playing style and tactics which is why the Whites should consider retaining his services for the long-run, especially if they can secure promotion back to the Premier League.
Harrison has improved his productivity in the final third and has a decent record in the Championship this season. He has scored five goals and grabbed six assists in 39 matches for the Yorkshire giants across all fronts. However, he still has a lot to learn if he intends to break into the world-class bracket someday.
Despite showing significant signs of improvement, Harrison has often been responsible for missing some promising goal-scoring opportunities in front of goal. He has usually been let down by his decision-making in the final third. Therefore, the only way the English winger will be able to grow as a player is if he continues to earn regular game time in the coming years.
Given the plethora of talent at Pep Guardiola’s disposal, it is unlikely that the Major League Soccer prospect will be able to make an impact if he returns to the Etihad Stadium this summer. So it will be better for Harrison’s long-term development if he decides to stay put at Elland Road.
What Does The England Under-21 International Bring To The Table?
Harrison has enjoyed this campaign at Elland Road after averaging 1.6 shots, 2.0 key passes and 1.2 dribbles per game in the English second division (stats via whoscored). His offensive numbers highlight how influential he has been behind Leeds’ promotion push this season.
The English sensation has the pace to trouble the opposition defenders by making some driving runs with the ball down the left-wing. He is a willing worker who doesn’t mind covering a lot of ground for the benefit of his team. Harrison can also whip in some dangerous crosses into the opposition penalty box. However, as mentioned earlier, he needs to be more decisive in the final third as he often been guilty of taking too much time when in possession of the ball. The English playmaker has to figure out a way to make more calculated decisions in the attacking third of the field.
Will Signing Harrison For £8m Be A Good Move For The Whites?
Signing a player of Harrison’s skill set and potential for £8m seems like a bargain deal for Bielsa. The 23-year-old has combined well with the likes of Pablo Hernandez and Stuart Dallas down the left side of the Whites’ midfield, so Harrison’s departure could have a detrimental impact on the team’s chemistry. Therefore, the West Yorkshire outfit should undeniably make it a priority to activate the £8m option and make Harrison’s loan deal permanent ahead of the new season.
