Leeds United lost a top defender in the form of Pontus Jansson this summer, but the signing of Ben White has looked good so far as the young Englishman has been faultless in defence. However, the club also parted ways with young defender Aapo Halme this summer, so the Whites are slightly short on options at the back.
Leeds United’s interest in Stanger
Bielsa will likely rely upon the likes of Kalvin Phillips or Luke Ayling to fill in at the back if the likes of Liam Cooper, Gaetano Berardi or White become unavailable.
However, there could be some incomings in January as reports from Evening Times as cited by Yorkshire Evening Post now suggest that Leeds United can make a move for Hamilton Academical’s 19-year-old defender George Stanger in the winter transfer period.
This is not the first time that United’s name has been linked with the young defender as even a few weeks back reports came out that Bielsa might make a future move for him. Hamilton were said to be looking to send the defender on loan at that time, and they decided to allow him to join East Kilbride until January. Stanger was recently part of New Zealand u-20 World Cup team.
One for the future
Hamilton are known to rate the young defender highly. He recently made his debut in the Scottish Premiership this season before he was allowed to leave on loan. We think that Stanger will be an option for Leeds United’s u-23 side instead of the first team and he might not make any impact on the senior squad if he is signed in January.
Bielsa clearly seems to trust with the option he has at his disposal. We are not expecting major incoming happenings in January until and unless there are injury concerns to some crucial first-team players. The departure of Aapo Halme was a slightly surprising one as the young defender had impressed last season in a few Championship appearances.
Stanger is known to be a versatile defender with impressive on the ball qualities. But if he were that good, then Hamilton would have probably kept him for the first team. It is clear that he is going to be an option for the future and Leeds United will need to be patient with him. United’s current management team clearly focuses a lot on bringing in promising players and developing them in their reserve squad. Therefore a January move could be on the cards for the centre back.
