Leeds United’s sporadic form of late has ensured that the Whites succumb right at the business end of the league season in the Championship. In a season where it looked certain, more often than not, that the West Yorkshire based club would be able to get a ticket for the playoffs, they have somehow managed to wither away and would have to again mount a substantial challenge for a promotion spot next season.
With the future of Garry Monk still unclear, one of the first headaches for Leeds United in the summer would be to find a shrewd replacement for Charlie Taylor. The left-back is out of contract in the summer and despite the club’s repeated attempts to make him put his pen to the paper for a contract extension, Taylor is reluctant to stay at the Elland Road. A player who has been terrific under the tutelage of Monk, it would certainly be a tough ask for Leeds United to replace him.
Nonetheless, they would have to start to assess their targets and one of the players with experience in the second division of English football which they could possibly lure under their ranks is Matt Doherty. Predominantly a right-back, Doherty has been excellent for Wolverhampton Wanderers from the left-back slot where he has plied his trade for a major chunk of the season. To fill the shoes of Taylor, Leeds United need a player with notable experience, immense potential and more than anything else, who is confident of himself to strike the right chords and Doherty fits the bill well.
A solid customer at the back, the Irishman launches into making attacking endeavours with blistering pace, gels well with the wingers to bring out a well-constructed creative outlay, toils relentlessly up and down the pitch and has shown a staggering level of maturity this season. Wolves have been sporadic in their outings but Doherty has been someone who has hardly put a foot wrong and has shown that he has adapted himself to English football quite well.
In 42 appearances, the 25-year-old defender has banged 4 goals and has also registered 4 assists, apart from making 0.7 key passes, 1.5 tackles, 1.6 interceptions, 5.8 clearances and 0.4 blocks per game on an average which are some telling numbers for a modern day fullback. Apart from getting a player who has proven his intrinsic value in the Championship, Leeds United should also consider the versatility which he offers and should definitely put him as one of their primary targets for the summer transfer window.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored.com
