Leeds want to sign French ball-playing defensive rock, scouts fight to watch him play – report
Leeds United are among a number of clubs who are interested in signing young Lens centre-back Loic Bade, according to Le10Sport.
The French news outlet claims Leeds, Lyon, Rennes, AC Milan and Borussia Monchengladbach are all keen on the 20-year-old, who’s had scouts fighting to watch him play in Ligue 1 for Lens this season.
However, it is understood that Bade has no plans to leave Lens in the current January transfer window after only signing for them from Le Havre in the summer.
Le10Sport does add, however, that the “defensive rock” is more likely to be available at the end of the season but if he keeps up his current form, more teams are going to join Leeds in wanting to sign him.
Perfect Bielsa defender?
It seems a long time ago since Ben White left Elland Road but the Brighton man, who was on loan at Leeds last season, was known for his dominating defensive performances coupled with his fantastic ability on the ball.
Everything in the report by Le10Sport suggests Bade could offer the same for the Whites if they manage to sign him from Lens this year.
The report says: “Badé, replaces, harangues, motivates his troops like an old man. Skillful with the ball on the foot, Badé is able to bring out the balls cleanly and has a good passing quality.
“With a well above average head game, he is one of the players winning the most aerial duels in Europe. If he still has a few jumps in concentration, the player improves with each of his exits.”
According to Wyscout, Bade ranks eighth in Ligue 1 for the percentage of aerial duels he’s won this season [66.37%]. He’s also joint-seventh for the number of aerial duels won inside his own penalty area [20].
Bade also ranks 14th for shots blocked [11] and 14th for interceptions [98], firmly placing him among the best-performing defenders in Ligue 1 this term.
He’s also completed 90.1 per cent of his passes, backing up Le10Sport’s claim about him being a ball-playing defender.
Bade comes across as a complete centre-back who’d flourish under Bielsa at Elland Road.
Let’s see how things develop in terms of the Frenchman’s future at Lens but if he continues to perform the way he has been, it won’t be long before his commitment to the Ligue 1 club is tested.
In other Leeds United news, this 22-year-old could leave the Whites permanently this month.