Keith Andrews believes Leeds United’s decision to replace Pontus Jansson with Ben White was a brave move but feels it’s one that has paid off spectacularly.
The Swedish international was an integral member of the Whites XI last season, starring in central defence as they pushed for promotion. Such displays saw Jansson named in the PFA Team of the Year but it was a season he will want to forget after the way it ended, with Leeds first missing out on automatic promotion before throwing away a lead in their play-off semi-final against Derby County.
Despite his influence, Jansson was shipped to promotion rivals Brentford in the summer, with Ben White arriving on loan from Brighton in his place.
Should Leeds pay £25m+ to sign Ben White permanently?
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And, it’s a decision that has worked out. White has shone at Elland Road, to the extent that Chelsea are thought to be among the top clubs watching him, and Leeds currently hold a seven-point lead over Fulham in the race for automatic promotion.
That prompted pundit Andrews to praise the decision-making and ruthlessness of Marcelo Bielsa in the market when speaking to Sky Sports.
“He did very little in the transfer market but it has been extremely effective. Ben White to replace Pontus Jansson was a big move, but it has turned out to be an absolute masterstroke. Helder Costa took a while to get going but he has been good, too.”
The centre-back has played in every single Leeds United game this season and his versatility has been important too, with Bielsa trusting the 22-year-old to play in a defensive midfield position when Kalvin Phillips has been unavailable. Such has been the form of the Seagulls defender, it has been reported that the Leeds players have been regularly urging White to sign permanently at the end of the season when his future will be up in the air.