Victor Orta and Andrea Radrizzani would be sacrificing everything Marcelo Bielsa built last season if they were to adhere to the thoughts of former manager Simon Grayson, who has told Omnisport, as quoted by AOL, that United should consider selling Pontus Jansson.
The 28-year-old was one of our most valuable players on route to securing a place in the Play-Off Semi-Finals, making 39 appearances in the regular season, scoring three goals and was accredited with one assist.
His leadership at the back was his most valuable aspect, however, while ranking in the top two of the club’s stat charts for tackles, interceptions, clearances and blocks – the only Whites player to do so.
And yet, 49-year-old Grayson, who stood at the Elland Road helm for three-and-a-half years, feels that it would be a wise decision to move Jansson on this summer, and usher in some of the youngsters who were mightily impressive in the Professional Development League and Premier League Cup under Carlos Corberan.
“There are other players I would want to keep ahead of Pontus Jansson,” Grayson said. “People like Kalvin Phillips and Jack Clarke, the younger players who can be the bedrock of Leeds for the next few years.
“I think Jansson does well when he concentrates on what he is there to do, in terms of being a defender.
“Of course, they want to try and keep hold of them if possible, but players have been sold in the past to finance the next group of players.
“[Kemar] Roofe has proved he is [the] goalscorer and Phillips, with his versatility and age, his ability on the ball, he is such a key player for what Leeds have done this season. I think he has a really bright future in front of him, and let’s hope they can keep hold of him.”
Jansson, despite previously insisting he wants to stay at Elland Road, has been linked with a move away from West Yorkshire this summer by various outlets, with reports suggesting Benfica are willing to trigger a rumoured £14.8million release clause in the Sweden international’s contract.
Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton have also shown an interest in signing the defender, who recently told Fotbollskanalen that his agent holds the cards to his future.
“I take it as it comes, day by day,” Jansson said. “Now it’s just the national team that applies, then it’s [my] vacation, and then it’s Leeds.
“If something should come up, it is between that club and Leeds, [and] then my agent gets the rest. But I feel great, and my wife thrives well and my child thrives well. But of course, it is hard to stop it.”