In an interview with Football Insider, Noel Whelan has claimed that Cameron Brannagan could be an excellent signing for Leeds United.
“Young player, came through at Liverpool a player that is thriving, given the opportunity and he’s making a name for himself. Yes, it might be League One, but at the same time, it’s not just Leeds United that are looking at him either. The kid’s obviously got potential.”, – Whelan told Football Insider.
“If there’s something there at the right price, it’s a minimum risk, but with a lot of gain in three or four years time, it just makes sense, it makes perfect sense.”, he added.
Cameron Brannagan: Player profile
A product of the Liverpool youth academy, Brannagan left Anfield in January 2018, joining Oxford United for a fee of €225k. He has never had to look back since, especially after making an immediate impact at his new club. In fact, the midfielder has already made 101 competitive appearances for Oxford United during his ongoing two-year spell at the club.
Brannagan’s performances in the League One have been central to Oxford United’s excellent campaign, with the club competing with Rotherham and Coventry City for direct entry to the Championship next season.
The 23-year-old has already been involved in ten goals in 30 league games so far, which is about one-sixth of the total goals the club has scored this season(61). Therefore, it is fair to say that Brannagan is one of the most sought-after players in League One at the moment.
What can he bring to the table?
Brannagan is a proactive midfielder, whose tirelessness makes him a unique component in the Oxford United setup. He is equipped with technical qualities that help his link-up play in the final third as well as ease his side’s transition from midfield to attack.
The 23-year-old is also an excellent reader of the game. It combines well with his tenacity, meaning he can quickly close down forward passes from the opposing defender, ultimately making his team much more effective in the second line of press.
Another key feature in Brannagan’s game is his selflessness. He is often on the lookout for passes that could benefit his team and further improve the transition, thus making him a well-rounded central midfielder.
Should Leeds United make a move for Brannagan?
Leeds United might not be in imminent need of a midfielder right now, boasting the services of players like Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich and Adam Forshaw among many others. However, only Phillips and Klich have really been given the opportunity by Marcelo Bielsa.
That means securing the services of an alternative like Brannagan might be a prudent choice as far as Leeds United are concerned. While the ex-Liverpool starlet is not really experienced at the highest level of football, he certainly has the potential to become an asset for the Whites as they look to make an impact in the Premier League next season.
