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'Big hole' - Jeff Stelling reacts to potential summer exit for 'outstanding' Leeds talent
Jeff Stelling has suggested that losing Ben White this summer would leave a “big hole” for Leeds United to fill.
The Whites were crowned champions of the Championship after both West Brom and Brentford lost this weekend.
But now that a long-awaited Premier League return has been secured, Graham Potter, manager of White’s parent club Brighton, has made it very clear that he wants the youngster to return to the south coast next season.
And Stelling has emphasised just how heavily he will be missed.
Speaking on Soccer Saturday (Sky Sports News, 1pm, July 18th), he said: “It would mean there would be a big hole at the back for Leeds”.
Pundit Clinton Morrison responded: “I think he’s been outstanding at the back.
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“He might want to stay at Leeds, but that’s out of his hands.
“I think he’s been superb. He handles the ball ever so well. Him and Liam Cooper have formed such a good partnership at the back. He’s a brilliant young defender.
“He’ll be happy to go back to Brighton as long as he’s playing week in, week out. At Leeds I think he would be playing every week. He’s been such an important player.”
Stelling added: “He’s done brilliantly.”
To say that White would leave a big hole in the heart of Leeds’ defence is an understatement.
The youngster has been magnificent this season, so much so that Jermaine Beckford as urged Leeds to make him their number one transfer priority this summer.
Likewise, Paul Robinson has claimed that the youngster is “absolutely outstanding”, and has been a key contributor for the Whites in their promotion push.
Losing him would be a real shame, but it looks like an increasing likelihood.
In other Leeds United news, players were blown away by their team-mates display with Eddie Nketiah also reacting.