This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Should Ben White not remain a Leeds player next season it would be a colossal blow – that’s regardless of whether they’re in the Premier League or not too.
The central defender has been an imperious figure at Elland Road, one that’s taken to the Championship like a duck to water.
He won the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month for August and has established a defensive partnership alongside Liam Cooper that is statistically better than when Pontus Jansson was in west Yorkshire.
In 2018/19, Leeds conceded nine shots per game but that tally has now been reduced to 7.55 this season.
Their record at the back has played a large part in the Whites occupying a high position in the table but it comes as no surprise that it’s caught the attention of elsewhere.
Over the weekend White attracted the interest of none other than Champions League winners Liverpool. If Jurgen Klopp came calling it would surely be impossible for the 21-year-old to turn them down.
However, the power could lie with Brighton. A £20m transfer fee has been mooted, the same price the Seagulls paid for Adam Webster over the summer.
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It’s an amount that would make sense if you consider the former Bristol City man also came from the Championship but Leeds could now be ruing their misfortune in not agreeing an option to buy for White over the summer.
That being said, they could well have a replacement right under their noses.
That lies at the feet of Pascal Struijk. The Dutchman has recently won himself a new deal at Elland Road and is highly thought of in the youth ranks.
Having come from Ajax’s prestigious academy, his pedigree rather speaks for itself.
Just a year younger than White, he has the potential to be someone that’s nurtured this term into being a player capable of taking over the reins. The potential is certainly there but chances have so far been few and far between for Struijk.
Marcelo Bielsa named him as an individual worthy of filling in for Cooper while he’s out injured so that certainly bodes well and shows the manager already trusts him.
If Gaetano Berardi continues to be a liability after his red card against Millwall, a starting berth could soon become a reality. It would then be down to the 20-year-old to prove he can make the step up as White has.
After all, the Argentine isn’t afraid to blood young defenders either.
He has given appearances to Leif Davis this term and also brought Aapo Halme through in the previous campaign. This provides evidence that another young centre back could replace White if and when he goes.
Noel Whelan has spoken about the ‘big plans’ the 64-year-old has for Struijk and this could well be preparing him to be ready for when their loanee departs. Only time will tell, but it could just save them having to fork out on a replacement.
