Leeds United backed to ‘absolutely’ land last-gasp Manuel Benson signing from Burnley before transfer deadline
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United …
If Leeds United can bring in Manuel Benson before the close of the transfer window then he would be a “great addition” to the squad for the Championship promotion push, says Paul Robinson.
Ben Jacobs told GiveMeSport on 28 January that the Whites hold “concrete” interest in the Burnley attacker and there would be a window of opportunity to do business with the Premier League side, amid suggestions they are very close to signing the 26-year-old ahead of Southampton.
After what Robinson admits was a “fantastic” season in the Championship last term in which Benson experienced promotion after scoring 12 league goals the versatile attacker could be perfect as a short-term boost to help Leeds look for the same.
But given his lack of usage in the top flight this term (four appearances with one start) the former Elland Road and England keeper is more sceptical as to whether he would be right on a long-term basis if they do go up, and in light of the attacking options already in the squad hopes it doesn’t suggest any possible exits.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News he said: “I’m not sure. You want to keep your squad together, the squad that’s got you to where you are in the league, quite comfortably in the play-off positions, two points off the automatic promotion places.
“That automatic promotion place is well within Leeds’ grasp so keep the squad together with the players that they’ve got. If they can add to that and bring in strength then yeah absolutely.
“Benson’s a player who was fantastic in the Championship last year. You look at his stats, his goals and assists for Burnley, but he hasn’t done it this season in the Premier League.
“Game time’s been limited. Vincent Kompany hasn’t played him that often, and he hasn’t really hit the ground running in the Premier League.
“As far as a Championship player, with experience, goals, assists, and the experience of promotion absolutely he’d a be a great addition to the squad.
“But as a long-term addition if he’s not good enough to play for Burnley in the Premier League then if Leeds are in the Premier League next season, which we all hope they will be and I think they will, does the manager see him as a long-term answer or a short-term fix to get us out of the Championship as a squad player?
“They’ve got so many wingers at Burnley. They’ve hoarded wingers and he’s just not got his game time, but why Vincent Kompany isn’t playing him in the Premier League after the way that he played in the Championship, maybe he doesn’t feel like he’s ready for the Premier League.”
Unfortunately, since speaking to Robinson, Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri has reported that the Whites will not be signing Benson because he’s set to stay at Turf Moor for the rest of the season.
In other Leeds United news, Adam Pope says the club will make money if they sell one of the players linked with an exit this month.
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