At the beginning of the month, we were told that Leeds United wanted to sign three players in three positions.
Indeed, Phil Hay stated that the Whites’ January strategy is to bring in a goalkeeper, a striker and a winger, but we could see them deviate from that strategy if reports are to be believed.
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Football Insider have stated that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are looking into the possibility of signing Rangers’ Connor Goldson.
In theory, the Whites don’t need a centre-back as they’ve got the second-best defensive record in the Championship, but their recent form suggests they could do with reinforcements at the back, conceding 14 in their last seven league games.
It appears that Leeds do need a defender, but is Goldson the answer? He’s a Europa League regular – starting six times in that competition this season, but he’s far from proven in England, appearing as a bit of a fringe player during his time at Brighton, starting only four games in the Seagulls’ promotion season.
We asked our writers to give their verdicts on whether he’d be a good signing or not.
Vijievan Jeevathayalan
“This move would be a major sign of ambition for Leeds. Connor Goldson’s time with Rangers has seen him play European football, and become an important part of a side that is now seriously challenging Celtic for the right to be crowned champions of Scotland. The 27-year-old has played 36 times across all competitions, including all six Europa League group stage games this season.
“That level of experience could be vital if Leeds do make the step up to the Premier League for next year. They need players who have proven themselves elsewhere, rather than predominantly shopping in the Championship market.
“With Ben White and Gaetano Berardi potentially leaving at the end of the season, a new centre-back has to be on the agenda for Marcelo Bielsa’s side. Goldson’s experience in the Scottish top-flight, and game-time in European football, makes him a more than worthy successor to White and Berardi.”
Harry Sherlock
“Connor Goldson would be a signal of intent from Leeds and yet another sign that the Scottish Premier League just isn’t really up to snuff.
“Rangers are meant to be a big club and yet Leeds could be stealing away a major asset for a side who are attempting to overhaul Celtic at the top of the league, while also fighting in the Europa League.
“Defensive reinforcements would be an adept way of helping Marcelo Bielsa’s side reach the Premier League, finally. If they get there, they will need to strengthen in every single position; bringing Goldson in now makes all the sense in the world and could be a difference-maker between automatic promotion and the dreaded playoffs.“
James Beavis
“Leeds United need to be shopping for players that can make the step up to the Premier League this month, and there is certainly no guarantee that someone who has shone in the Scottish Premiership can do this.
“The fact of the matter is that Connor Goldson has three Premier League appearances to his name during his career to date, and while he may have played on the European stage for Rangers, is that really going to help him in the English top-flight in what could very easily be a relegation battle next term should the Yorkshire outfit win promotion?
“Leeds already have a squad that lacks Premier League experience – only Adam Forshaw, Patrick Bamford, Helder Costa, Pablo Hernandez, Liam Cooper and Tyler Roberts have played in it before – should they win promotion, and as Norwich City are finding out this term as they lie bottom of the standings, that can make life difficult when you are playing opposition that can punish you every week.
“In conclusion, Goldson is the wrong profile of signing the Whites should be targeting, and they should go with someone who knows what the English top-flight is all about instead.”
Charles Jones
“I think that Connor Goldson would be a great signing for Leeds, not only for the short-term, but for the future.
“With Ben White’s loan ending in the summer, and Gaetano Berardi’s contract being up at the end of the season, Liam Cooper currently doesn’t have a partner for next term lined up.
“Even if Goldson isn’t a starter it at least gives Leeds something to build on. They’d be comforted by the fact that they at least have two senior centre-halves signed on beyond this term. Is he the best possible option? Probably not, he’s not proven in England and Leeds have ambitions of playing in the Premier League, but he wouldn’t be the worst signing in the world.”
In other news, Danny Pugh has spoken to us about the potential impact of a takeover at Leeds.