‘Number one priority’ – Jermaine Beckford urges Leeds to sign ‘phenomenal’ talent this summer
Leeds United must make signing Ben White their “number one priority” this summer, according to Jermaine Beckford.
The Brighton loanee played in a slightly altered role in the 1-0 win against Barnsley on Thursday night, deputising for Kalvin Phillips in a deep-lying midfield berth.
And Beckford has emphasised just how highly he rates the youngster by arguing that the Whites must go all out to snap him up in the coming weeks.
Speaking on Sky Sports‘ coverage of the Barnsley match (Sky Sports Football, 7.15pm, July 16th), when asked if he would want Leeds to sign the defender this summer, he said: “I would say absolutely.
“I think he’s been phenomenal this season for Leeds United. I don’t think there’s been many, if any, better centre-halves than him.
“He controls the game really well, he reads it really well. He’s physical player, he’ll put his foot through the ball when he needs to, but he’ll also calm the play down, and he’ll pick out beautiful passes.
“I would say make that signing him number one priority”.
We agree wholeheartedly with Beckford here, and we’re pretty sure you would struggle to find a single Leeds fan who didn’t.
White has been revelatory since he arrived at Elland Road, and it’s utterly bizarre to think that there was a time when we didn’t know if he was going to be able to fill the space left by Pontus Jansson.
Needless to say he has done with aplomb, and if there was a way of signing him next term, we would be all for it.
Of course, his performances have made him hot property, and with Brighton already making it clear that they are eager to keep him around, plus reported interest from newly crowned champions Liverpool, retaining his services could be a tough ask.
Nothing is written in stone though, and we won’t give up hope until we absolutely have to.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Looked terrified’, ‘Our best player’ – These Leeds fans torn over display of one man v Barnsley.