Three wins in a row after the break should not hide Leeds United’s defensive frailties due to injuries and fitness concerns. A further blow to skipper Liam Cooper at Bramall Lane exposed the shallowness of the squad, particularly in deep defence that has left the Whites with Pontus Jansson as the only senior centre-back option available.
But Marcelo Bielsa, the Elland Road chief must be a relieved man now following the emergence of youngster Aapo Halme who has repaid his faith with yet another boisterous display in Saturday afternoon’s Yorkshire Derby against Sheffield United.
The pulsating prospect from Nordic had nightmarish inception to his Leeds United career when he suffered a severe injury in training ground soon after joining from HJK Helsinki back in January. Halme had to undergo months of rehabilitation before making his maiden appearance for the U23s in late August.
However, a senior debut must not have been planned for the 20-year-old Finland youth international until an injury to Pontus Jansson ruled the Swedish defensive ace out for the Bristol City game. Bielsa had to choose between shifting Kalvin Phillips in central defence or hand Halme an opportunity to showcase his talent. The Argentine opted for the latter option, and the youngster now seems to have impressed the gaffer enough to ensure more minutes in upcoming fixtures.
“He had a balanced game. He was not impressed by the importance of the game. He played at a good level when he had to play aerial balls and recover the ball.”
Bielsa praised the starlet for his courageous performance in an interview ( via Leeds Live) after sealing the first win at Bramall Lane since April 1992.
The 6 ft 5 in centre-back is the fourth player from Finland to have featured for Leeds after Sebastian Sorsa, Mika Väyrynen and Mikael Forssell. The other three hardly made an impact in West Yorkshire and Halme, therefore, must concentrate on his job after an encouraging start overcoming an injury-ravaged introduction.
With Luke Ayling and Gaetano Berardi sidelined for weeks, Halme should look to make use of his chances and keep up his excellent work under Bielsa’s sincere counsel. The veteran Argentine would demand more from the Finnish sensation with a busy festive period ahead and the player, capable of meeting the demands of Championship football, must emerge as a stalwart for the remainder of the campaign.
