Paul Robinson reacts as Leeds United make offer for Yangel Herrera
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson does not believe Yangel Herrera will make the Leeds United starting line-up if the midfielder joins from Manchester City this summer.
Herrera, 23, has been linked with a move to Elland Road after spending the last couple of seasons on loan in La Liga with Granada.
FUTVE English, an English-speaking expert account on Venezuelan football, has reported this week that Leeds have made an offer Herrera, who’s been capped 24 times by the Venezuelan national team.
Robinson believes Herrera will be a player who Victor Orta and his scouts have watched closely with a view to potentially signing him this summer.
However, the ex-Leeds goalkeeper is unsure about whether he’d make an instant impact in West Yorkshire.
“We know they do their work and they do their due diligence – you only have to look at the likes of Raphinha last year,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
“We knew about Raphinha but we didn’t know the level he was going to get to or the level he could play at.
“When you look at these young players, you look at putting your trust in the manager and the scouting network.
“But is he a player who’s going to strengthen the squad? Is he a player who’s going to start in the Premier League for Leeds? And you probably question that.
“Leeds fans aren’t going to look at that and think, ‘yeah he’s going to slot straight into the midfield and have a huge impact from day one’.
“Maybe I’m completely wrong but again, it’s looking at younger players that develop the side and the squad for the future. Look at [Ian] Poveda last year.”
Herrera has been on the books at Man City since 2017 but has never made a single appearance for the Premier League champions.
Instead, he’s been loaned out to New York City, Huesca and Granada, earning a lot of experience in both La Liga and MLS.
The central midfielder especially impressed David Villa in his spell at New York City with Marca quoting the ex-striker as saying: “Yangel is going to be a world-class player in the next few years.”
Leeds need to strengthen their central midfield options ahead of next season and Herrera could be a solid addition who has resale value going forward due to the fact he’s 23, a full international and is experienced in a couple of leagues.
He’s also bound to improve under Marcelo Bielsa if he does opt for Yorkshire.
In other Leeds United news, this “brilliant” player has been left out of a matchday squad amid strong speculation linking him with a move to Elland Road.