View: Mowbray comments give Leeds United confidence boost in Buckley pursuit
Tony Mowbray has provided Leeds United with a confidence boost in their pursuit of John Buckley from Blackburn.
The playmaker has just over two years remaining on his Rovers contract with the Whites keen on securing the 22-year-old.
Mowbray isn’t scared of making any ‘tough’ decisions that could see players leave Ewood Park for the good of the team.
“I work closely with Steve (Waggott), Suhail (Pasha) and Mark (Venus) and we’ll try and do the right thing for the club and try and make the tough decisions if they have to be made.” Mowbray said as per Leeds Live.
“There’s the balance and conundrum for the support base.
“Do you keep this team together knowing that you’re going to lose three or four potentially in the summer or do you cash in with the awareness that you’re going to use that money and reinvest it back in and hope you can improve the team.
“Because once you get to the summer and you lose some very key footballers, without any extra money to replace them, the team isn’t going to get stronger it’s going to get worse.”
Best case scenario
Blackburn will be reluctant to let go of their key men in January or any window for that matter. Buckley having two years left on his contract makes a move unlikely but not impossible and Mowbray’s comments can inspire Leeds to make a move.
Blackburn increase the risk of losing their star on a free with every month that goes by without negotiations which would be a double blow for the club.
The fans will be desperate to keep hold of their best players, but Mowbray and the senior members of the Rovers board would have assessed the best way for the club to move forward which is to cash in.
It mightn’t happen yet but there are promising signs that if the Whites do come in with a strong enough offer, they may just steal the 22-year-old.
This is one to keep an eye one. Buckley has a bright future ahead of him aged only 22 and Blackburn could use any large fee they get for him to reinvest in their squad.
In other Whites news, View: Adam Forshaw could stay at Leeds United until 2024.