Sergino Dest would be cracking signing for Leeds United
Leeds United have shown interest in signing Barcelona defender Sergino Dest this summer, and he would be a cracking signing.
According to a report from TeamTalk, the defender has dropped down the pecking order at the Nou Camp, despite only joining in 2020 from Ajax.
The 21-year-old is not in Xavi’s long-term plans at Barcelona, and could be available for transfer this summer to raise funds.
Scouting Dest
After arriving at Barcelona in the 2020 summer window, Dest has not exactly set the footballing world alight. The departure of Nelson Semedo and the scarcity of choices for the right-back position meant that Dest was guaranteed a starter spot in the side under Ronald Koeman.
Flashes of his potential could always be noticed here and there but Dest never really showed any consistency in his game. Koeman’s system earlier in the system was a 4-3-3 with the fullbacks playing high up the pitch.
Erratic center backs coupled with high fullbacks in Alba and Dest coerced a change of system – the 3-5-2. Both Alba and Dest played as the wingbacks without having to handle the peril of tracking back as three center-backs behind them usually meant that they were assured to have superiority in numbers, getting the best out of them in the process.
The lack of threat in the flanks did not matter as Lionel Messi would unlock just any kind of block with his ethereal central presence, thereby shadowing the chinks in the armour.
However, reality dawned upon Barcelona as the news of Messi’s departure broke out. Koeman, having stuck to his 3-5-2 throughout the latter part of the previous season, now started to alter between a 4-3-3 and a 3-5-2 throughout the season, with none of them producing the desired output. Despite his mesmerizing offensive presence, Dest had always been suspect in his 1v1 defending and positioning during transitions.
The lack of wingers now meant that Dest had to play as the right-winger during the initial stages since Messi was there no more to cover up the need for width.
Alba’s injury struggles earlier in the season coupled with the lack of depth in the fullback positions meant that Dest now had to deputise for him at left-back, where he had a great string of games. The inevitable came to the fore soon, though, as the American started picking up recurring injuries due to the excessive minutes that he had been asked to play.
Shortly after, Xavi was announced as the new manager after Koeman’s departure. Dest had been playing with back pain and his performances were not convincing. He was injured again. The Catalan was quick to recognise the squad’s weaknesses as the first signing of his regime was announced – Daniel Alves.
Admittedly, the signing of the 38-year-old was scrutinized heavily due to his age at first, but he has proved all doubters wrong since then, providing brilliant performances for his age. The January transfer window ignited reports contemplating the departure of Dest as Xavi did not quite see him in his plans for the future. The American, meanwhile, wanted to stay and convince Xavi of his potential.
After completing his recovery, Xavi has transformed him completely. Although the sample size has been small, Dest has completely changed his game, adding elements like positional awareness and passing, elements that had not been noticeable before to his already excellent dribbling in tight spaces.
He has better control of the ball and combines better with the team in central areas. He successfully has transitioned himself into an inverted fullback from a purely overlapping role, a case in point being Joao Cancelo of Manchester City. Whether his form continues or not, remains to be seen, but he has impressed Xavi lately, lauded by his boss publicly recently.
Perfect for Leeds
Luke Ayling has been top quality for the Whites but he has shown signs of weariness this season.
A quality full-back is required, and Dest would be perfect. He can play on both flanks, and considering his age and quality, getting him on board is a brainer.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are leading the race to complete a major signing and have already opened talks to seal a £25m deal.