Leeds United defender Stuart Dallas has revealed the reasons behind Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Ben White’s success at providing midfield cover for Kalvin Phillips.
Boss Marcelo Bielsa has tasked the Seagull’s prospect with occupying the holding role of his midfield on occasion this season, including in two of our last three Championship fixtures whilst Phillips has been forced to watch on from the sidelines due to a knee injury.
Phillips is expected to be passed fit to face Cardiff City in Sunday’s clash, allowing White to return to the heart of our backline, but Dallas would have no issues in seeing the Poole-born centre-half continue in midfield if needed.
“Ben is a good player,” Dallas told the Yorkshire Evening Post. “He’s not silly, he knows what to do and he’s watching Kalvin.
“But we learn from the coaching staff every day and he’s not just thrown in there. He works really hard in that position. The coaches work really hard on his position and his movement and everything and he has done really well.
“He has put himself about and I am delighted for him.”
Has White sunk or swam when fielded in midfield?
Sunk
Swam
White has proven to be a truly bright emerging star since moving to Elland Road on loan last summer, with the 22-year-old starting all 37 of our league games and playing more minutes in the second-tier than any other United player.
Dallas, likewise, has been a key player for us this term having also started all 37 of our league games, while the Cookstown-born ace has lined up alongside the Brighton loanee in defence 23 times to date.
White’s vast outings have helped the club to keep more clean sheets (17) than any other side in the division, as we boast the best defensive record having only allowed 30 goals to be scored against us.
Two of our 17 clean sheets have come while White has been fielded in midfield – coming against Middlesbrough and Huddersfield Town – though he only won seven of his 15 duels during those matches.
White was also dribbled past on more occasions (2) than he made a successful tackle (0) against Boro.
In other Leeds United news, a £9k-p/w man has been urged to quit the club at the end of the season.