Hamilton Academical’s young defender George Stanger has drawn interest (Evening Times) from Leeds United, and the Yorkshire outfit have kept track of his progress. They are said to be keen on a permanent switch for the defender at some time, but Hamilton are looking to send Stanger on loan in this window.
Leeds United obviously cannot sign any more players now until January so Stanger could slip from their grasps if he is allowed to go on a loan for the season to any other club. The Accies are not known to be keen on a permanent switch for the defender, so maybe that’s why the Whites didn’t manage to sign him earlier.
Hamilton rate Stanger highly, and they see the u-23 New Zealand international as a top prospect for the future. However, it is believed that the centre back isn’t in Hamilton manager’s plans for the first team just yet.
It’s clear that Stanger would have been an option for Leeds United’s developmental side instead of the first team if he was signed this summer. It remains to be seen now whether the Whites will have an opportunity to sign him in the future or not.
Does Leeds United need defenders?
The Whites surprisingly let go off Aapo Halme this summer who looked like a promising young option. The defender had impressed in small cameos last season, and he could have played some role for the first team this season. The club also parted ways with Pontus Jansson. As a replacement, the Whites only brought in Ben White on loan who has looked impressive so far.
It is fair to say that the Whites’ defensive options are quite thin at the moment as Gaetano Berardi, Liam Cooper and White are the only three outright centre back options. Bielsa is likely to rely on Kalvin Phillips and Luke Ayling if the first choice defenders aren’t able to make it to the starting lineup because of injuries/suspensions. We think that a defender should be on the agenda of the club for the future.
What now for Bielsa?
Victor Orta and Marcelo Bielsa are clearly banking on youngsters to take them to the next level, and someone like Stanger could have been added to the list as well. Maybe if a loan deal isn’t sanctioned by September second, the Whites can revisit the 19-year-old defender in January. Even if the move goes through, he is only going to be an option for the u-23 team. Losing out on him shouldn’t be a blow in the short term atleast.
