According to Daily Mail, Leeds United are among the clubs interested in Rico Henry. The Brentford left-back is the latest player to be linked with a move to Elland Road as the Whites look to upgrade their ranks following their promotion to the Premier League. However, they could face stiff competition from Brighton & Hove Albion, West Ham as well as the fellow promoted club, West Bromwich Albion.
Henry, it seems, has no shortage of suitors, especially after Brentford’s defeat in the Championship promotion playoff that could see the Bees lose a host of their star players. But in this article, we will be taking a look at how the left-back could fit into Leeds United next season.
What can Henry bring to the table?
Henry has emerged as a reliable all-round outlet in the wide defensive role for Brentford this term. He has flourished under Thomas Frank’s attack-oriented setup that has often allowed the defender to march forward. He has notably averaged 0.7 key passes per game this season.
What makes the 23-year-old such a valuable asset for the Bees is his ability to take on defenders. Indeed, he is very effective in a one-on-one situation and is also capable of drifting past players with a sudden burst of pace. Additionally, Henry is blessed with the technical prowess that allows him to rotate possession at a quick-rate using short passes.
Another key element in Henry’s game is his upper body strength. He is more than capable of holding on to the ball as well as exerting pressure on the ball-carrier. The Brentford man is also quite good when it comes to making tackles, having attempted two tackles per game with a success rate of 75%.
How does Henry fit into Leeds United?
Henry could be an interesting acquisition for Leeds United given the fact that the club already has at least two left-back options in Stuart Dallas and Barry Douglas. Both the players are equally talented, with Dallas, in particular, emerging as an indispensable figure in Marcelo Bielsa’s possession-based system at Elland Road this season.
That being said, Henry could still fit into the Leeds side should Bielsa employ Dallas in a more central role in midfield. It could see Douglas and Henry competing for a place in the first-team, with Ezgjan Alioski set to be considered as an out and out attacker. It is also fair to consider the fact that Dallas can also feature as a right-back.
Therefore, the Brentford man will undoubtedly have a lot of prospects if he does choose to switch to Elland Road this summer. However, instead of signing Henry, Leeds United should ideally look for a right-back or a centre-back to strengthen a backline that clearly lacks depth.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
