Elland Road stance on Liam Cooper revealed as Phil Hay shares Leeds United transfer news
Phil Hay claims there are people inside Elland Road that want to keep Liam Cooper at Leeds United for next season in the Championship.
The Athletic journalist has come to the defence of the Scottish defender and believes that he’s unfairly received stick for some of his performances.
It’s understood that clubs are keen on signing the 31-year-old centre-back this summer amid Leeds getting relegated last week.
Hay wrote on 1 June, “Cooper tends to be a lightning rod for criticism, some of it excessive, and it remains to be seen if he is tempted by fresh pastures, because interest in him is out there. But there are people inside Elland Road who want to keep him in the mix.”
Keep him for the experience
Had Leeds stayed in the Premier League, it may have made sense to part ways with Cooper, but relegation does alter certain plans.
The club will need that experience inside the dressing room of someone who’s been there and done that and nobody better than the 31-year-old.
He may not have to start every game, but just be there and guide some of the players through what’s a new league and the challenges that come with it.
There are also going to be more younger players being introduced into the team and he can play the role of a mentor as well.
Unless the offer is really good, Leeds are better off keeping him on for another season which will mark a decade since he joined the club.
Lots of decisions will be made in the coming weeks and it remains to be seen if the Whites are preparing to return to the Premier League a year from now.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay claims that an international player at Elland Road has no place at the club next season and a summer transfer is on the cards.