‘Deserves special credit’ – Dominic Matteo hails Leeds talent who has ‘matured’ in 19/20
Dominic Matteo has claimed that Leeds United captain Liam Cooper deserves “special credit” for his leadership qualities at Elland Road this season.
The 28-year-old has played 26 times in the Championship this season, and is nailed on as Marcelo Bielsa’s captain as the Whites stand on the brink of a long-awaited return to the top flight.
And Matteo believes that he has reached a new level of output over the 2019/20 campaign.
Speaking to LUTV, he said: “I think being a former defender I always look at how Liam Cooper is doing.
“We played in a similar position, he’s a captain, I’ve been there myself I know the responsibilities that takes.
“It’s tough at times to be a Leeds captain because there’s a lot of responsibilities on and off the football field. I think Liam’s handled that very, very well. I think he’s matured as a footballer. I think he’s playing the best football I’ve seen him play. He seems on top of his game like a lot of the other players.
“I just think Coops deserves special credit because I know how difficult it is to be a captain, especially at a club like Leeds United that has such high standards. And I think under Marcelo Bielsa he just pushed the rest of the team forward. You need that around the group.”
We couldn’t agree more with Matteo here.
Cooper has been a shining light for the Whites all season, and while it may be young Ben White who attracts most of the attention, it’s worth pointing out that the Scot has won more aerial duels, made more interceptions, and had a higher total action success rate than the Brighton loanee, as per Wyscout.
He may not always get the recognition or the plaudits that some of his teammates do, but make no mistake, Cooper is vital to this Leeds side.
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