Leeds United: Sky Sports pundit reacts to surprise January transfer window developments around Diego Llorente
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 …
Paul Robinson believes Diego Llorente becoming a transfer target for Paris Saint-Germain after struggling at Leeds United is down to suiting leagues in Europe better than the Premier League.
Foot Mercato reported on 19 January that the Ligue 1 giants, announced as the third-richest club in the world football after last season by Deloitte this week, were working on a deal for the Whites defender who is currently on loan at Roma.
The Spaniard had become a key man for the now-sacked Jose Mourinho at the Stadio Olimpico, making 25 appearances for the Italian club so far this term and now leading to a possible January transfer window switch to the Parc des Prices.
It would be remarkable rise from finding it difficult to get a game in a Leeds United defence which conceded a Premier League-high 78 goals last season on the way to relegation, but Sky Sports pundit Robinson thinks it is as simple as the 30-year-old not fitting in the English top flight.
“I think he found the Premier League hard, the pace and the tempo of it,” the former England and Elland Road keeper exclusively told MOT Leeds News.
“But there were certain performances where he did show the quality that he’s shown now at Roma since he moved.
“I think he found it difficult in a team that was struggling, and we know Leeds struggled for results last year, hence the reason they got relegated.
“And he struggled in a defence that was porous in all honesty so he found the Premier League hard.
“Different leagues around Europe suit different players, and we’ve seen that so it may be the case with Llorente.”
In other Leeds United news, a “change of heart” has emerged as the Whites look to sign a new defender before the deadline.
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