Larry Nance Jr names Liam Cooper as favourite Leeds United player after what happened in summer transfer window
49ers investor Larry Nance Jr has named Liam Cooper as his favourite Leeds United player after what he did during the summer transfer window.
Cooper turned down a ‘lucrative‘ move to Saudi Arabia this summer after telling the Whites changing room that players should leave if they didn’t want to be there to help the club earn promotion this season.
And Nance, while appearing on the Leeds, That podcast (13 September) admitted that he sees Cooper as a true leader and wants a signed shirt from the skipper on his wall the next time he comes over to Elland Road.
“If I had to pick a favourite player it would probably be Liam Cooper,” he said.
“At the moment, I think that’s a leader right there. In my eyes, that’s a true captain and a leader and the fact that everything, what sealed it was how he handled this window and last year.
“Obviously the quote that came out, I’m not going to repeat it, but I just love everything about it because it is true. Either you’re with us or you’re not with us. Make the decision and we’ll rock with what we’ve got in the locker room.
“Even v Cardiff where he sacrificed his body. Got up to win the big header to put us back 2-1, and then sacrificing his body doing it and now he’s out for a little bit. I just think that’s a true warrior’s captain and hopefully next time I get over there I’d love to get a shirt signed from him and put it up on my wall.
“He’s my favourite player.”
True Leeds
There are only a handful of players right now that fans would consider to truly ‘get’ Leeds and Cooper is arguably at the top of the list.
As the captain he may not be the player blessed with the most ability in the squad, but he is a natural leader and he leads by example to those around him to ensure that standards are high and remain that way no matter what.
The likes of Luke Ayling have had to step up in his absence, while Stuart Dallas is also in that camp despite recovering from a long-term injury, but Cooper is a constant presence.
As an American who has bought into the club and is learning about the sport, many would have forgiven Nance Jr for picking one of the bigger names or the skilful attackers as his favourite player.
But he is showing that he gets the club too and knows what the Leeds fans value more than anything, so it’s nice to know that those behind the scenes have a similar mindset at this point.
In other Leeds news, international media frustrated by performance of Whites ace mid ‘6/10’ rating.