LEEDS UNITED – THE SQUAD – DEFENCE (1/3)by Charlie Sopp on July 18, 2015
LEEDS UNITED NEWS
This summer has been a building job at Leeds United. Players have in the main stayed and we have added in certain areas. Uwe Rosler seems more than happy with the work done in the transfer market thus far but will be hoping for a winger in the coming weeks. I will have a look at every player in and around the first-team in this series of articles to explore possible options and strength-in-depth.
Goalkeepers
Marco Silvestri – Silvestri is almost guaranteed to be the number one at the start of the season barring injury. Rosler confirmed this on Wednesday and the Italian stopper should continue to enhance his reputation this season. Seriously needs to work on his communication skills. Very much a confidence player but in the Championship he has come a long way in just one-year.
Ross Turnbull – Adds vital experience and some competition for Marco Silvestri. Solid back-up and will be waiting in the wings for his chance if and when he is needed. Think it’s a clever deal by the club rather than an outstanding one. Can help the youngsters at the club and provide cover needed.
Charlie Horton – USA youth international who is very highly rated by new goalkeeping coach Richard Hartis. Seen very much as a project player and will turn out for the development squad this season, probably turning up on the bench in the cup games.
Defenders
Charlie Taylor (Left-Back/Wing) – Taylor burst onto the scene last season following the departure of Stephen Warnock. He Will almost certainly be the number one choice at left-back. If Uwe Rosler decides on a 3-4-3/5-2-3 formation then expect Taylor to be the left wing-back, a role he will be more than capable of executing. Played on the wing last season towards the end, netting two goals. Grows in confidence by the game and a real asset at the club. Proved me right when Warnock left, probably one of my more controversial articles when I wrote that Warnock wouldn’t be missed. due to Taylor’s ability.
Gaetano Berardi (Right/Left-Back) – The Swiss full-back has changed his fortunes and reputation at Leeds after a wild start to his stay in West Yorkshire. His karate kick was followed by another red-card and he basically froze himself out at times. From the turn of the year he was the most consistent player to take the field, calming down and showing a real solid side to his game. Can easily force his way into the starting XI and keep others out. Will be looking to earn himself a new deal, having only signed an initial two-year-deal last summer. Can play either full-back position which adds brilliant versatility to his game, the right-footer played even better when shifted to left-back in 2015.
Scott Wootton (Centre/Right-Back) – Wootton found himself in a similar situation to Berardi last season. The big defender was loaned out to Rotherham early on and looked set to join the Millers on a permanent deal in January. However an injury to Berardi meant he was used for Leeds and soon earned himself a new contract and played every game until the end of the season. Probably the easiest one to drop but good back-up and seems to get better the more games he plays. Will never rampage forward but formed a good understanding with Sam Byram down the right last season.
Giuseppe Bellusci (Centre-Back) – Probably the most controversial player currently at Leeds. The Italian clearly has the ability but whether he can stay focused on the football side of football is another matter. If he sorts his head out he can be a real leader on the park and if he doesn’t Leeds fans and new boss Uwe Rosler will soon make their feelings clear. Rosler is blatantly a no-nonsense coach and will probably lay down the law with any trouble-makers. So good is his footballing skills I wrote an article based on shifting him into a midfield anchor role, one that Tom Adeyemi will be looking to fill.
Sol Bamba (Centre-Back) – The signing of Sol Bamba should not be taken for granted. Massimo Cellino clearly had a struggle getting this deal over the line and finally caved in giving the big man his two-year-deal. Instrumental in the revival of the club last season and judging by Uwe Rosler’s comments so far he will probably become the new club captain. Can have off-days but in the main he is a solid wall in the Leeds defence and there won’t be many looking forward to facing him next season. Quick as well as strong. I would like to see him be more effective in the opposition penalty area, I feel he has more to offer in that regard.
Liam Cooper (Centre/Left-Back) – The Scottish centre-back had ups and downs last season like many of the players. He broke into the team after the fall from grace of then skipper Jason Pearce. Looked very good early on but went off the boil during patches. Last game of the season he looked like a player with huge potential, really leading the team from the back. Became captain but after losing his place he lost his captaincy to Sol Bamba. I think his position depends on two things, the formation and the attitude of Giuseppe Bellusci. If Rosler plays three centre-backs and wing-backs I think Cooper will take his place in the left of the three centre-backs. If Giuseppe Bellusci gets his head right and starts the season well I think Cooper may well end up on the bench. Very good option, can also slip in at left-back when needed.
Sam Byram will be in part 2 of the article rather than this one, I see his future at the club being in a more advanced role as we saw last season. In terms of cover I think we are pretty well off at the back. Another centre-back may well be on the agenda if the right player becomes available but we will have to wait and see. It will be interesting to see whether Uwe Rosler plays a 3 or a 4 at the back. I don’t think any youngsters will threaten the first team in these positions but hopefully one or two can surprise us and make the step-up in the coming campaign. The most likely would be Ross Killock. The young defender will probably be the one pushing if no new signings are to come in.
By Charlie Sopp
http://weareleedsunited.co.uk/leeds-united-the-squad-defence-13/
