According to the latest reports from the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United are looking to sign Swiss defender Silvan Hefti in the transfer market. The 21-year-old centre back plies his trade for St. Gallen in the Switzerland top division. The defender was a regular feature for his side in the heart of the defence, and at just 21, he has emerged as an established member of the first team.
Why should Leeds United look to add a defender?
Recently reports emerged that Leeds defender Gaetano Berardi is wanted by Serie B champions Brescia and the 30-year-old could leave Elland Road. Even if Berardi stays, Leeds United should look to add defensive cover. Berardi is going to enter the final year of his contract, and we feel that the club might be tempted to sell him instead of losing him for free in 2020.
The Whites faced a lot of injury crisis at the back, and Marcelo Bielsa had to use Kalvin Phillips in defence on numerous occasions. The Whites also had to promote Aapo Halme from the academy to fill in the centre back role as the situation was dire. Therefore the club should look to add options as this temporary defensive solution needs to be stopped.
Will Hefti be a decent option?
We don’t see Hefti starting over the likes of Liam Cooper and Pontus Jansson at the moment. The defender does have the experience of playing anywhere outside the Swiss league so he might take some time to settle in at the club. Moreover, Championship football is known for its physicality and Hefti will have to adapt to the new league.
Therefore we don’t see him as a readymade option. However, he could be a decent backup option. Hefti is a versatile defender as he can play as a right back as well. The Swiss u-21 international has impressive qualities on the ball, and he can carry the ball from the back.
That is often imperative in Leeds United’s system as they build from the back and the defenders need to be reliable and comfortable on the ball.
Hefti is also known as a leader as at 21; he is already captaining his side. The centre back has his contract at the club until 2020. Therefore St. Gallen might be willing to sell him as he is going to enter the final year of his contract. It remains to be seen how much the Swiss outfit would demand for him and hopefully from United’s point of view; it wouldn’t be a ‘Hefti’ fees.
