Leeds United, the once esteemed English giants, do not have much to be proud of in the past decade following a massive downfall which eventually led them to becoming a mere midtable Championship outfit. Things did not alter even after Andrea Radrizzani’s sensible ownership foresight except a glimpse of hope under Garry Monk’s short managerial stint at Elland Road. The Swansea City legend, however, opted to step down last year and his successors Thomas Christiansen and Paul Heckingbottom in later months failed to keep up the good work in West Yorkshire.
Yet the fans seem rejuvenated once again following the appointment of the iconic, Marcelo Bielsa as their new boss and their Italian owner deserves massive applauds for convincing such a colossal figure to take charge of a second-tier English side who are struggling to promote themselves up and return to the English top-flight amid years of failure.
Bielsa, the former Argentina and Chile chief, is set to reconfigure the Leeds side with several new inclusions and the slot between the sticks remains one of the topmost priorities. Felix Wiedwald has left the Whites to return to his former side Eintracht Frankfurt after only one season at Elland Road as he lost his place to academy prodigy Bailey Peacock-Farrell under Heckingbottom following a series of erroneous outings.
The Peacocks were reportedly closing in on Birmingham City veteran David Stockdale but failed to agree on terms so far following the Blues denial of letting the custodian leave on loan. They are preferring a permanent solution whereas Leeds United are keen on loaning the ex-Brighton & Hove Albion star for the time being. The talks, therefore, have stalled and the Yorkshire greats have now switched their focus on Chelsea youngster Jamal Blackman as per latest rumours.
Blackman, 24, is yet to feature for the Premier League giants and has spent his time on loan at home and abroad, most recently in South Yorkshire where he featured regularly for the Championship new boys Sheffield United. He had made 33 appearances but lost his starting slot to Simon Moore midway through the season. The Englishman, however, regained his place between the sticks and ended the season on a high banking on some impressive outings.
The 6 ft 6 in keeper had made 52 appearances altogether for the League Two outfit Wycombe Wanderers the season before and is now ready to return to the second tier in search of regular minutes. Although he signed a new deal at Stamford Bridge keeping him at the club until 2021, there is little hope of grabbing a first-team role for the Blues in near future and a loan move, thus, suits all parties involved considering the current circumstances.
Leeds United, meanwhile, already got a promising youngster in Peacock-Farrell in their ranks but need to wrap up someone more experienced to bring back some stability and resilience in goal. Andy Lonergan, 34, is still under contract at Elland Road but his repetitive errors saw him fall down the pecking order and it is quite unlikely for him to reclaim a first-team role under El Loco.
Read More: 24 Y/O Leeds United Attacker Likely To Be Loaned Out: Sensible Move For All Parties Involved?
Blackman earned acknowledgements for his towering presence in the Sheffield United goal last season but a move to their Yorkshire rivals will hand him the biggest ever challenge of his career so far where the former Three Lions youth international will have to be his absolute best if Leeds are to clinch a promotion back to the English top tier.
