According to Sky Sports North of England reporter Tim Thompson on Twitter (below), Leeds United are on the cusp of signing Jamal Blackman from Chelsea.
The goalkeeping situation at Elland Road last season was a part of why the Whites underperformed, but only a part of that. United started with German stopper Felix Wiedwald between the sticks, and he didn’t perform too shabbily to begin with.
Yet after helping Leeds United briefly top the table, as the malaise set in after being beaten by Millwall, inconsistencies started to appear in his game. After a number of howlers, he was dropped in favour of back-up Andy Lonergan.
Lonergan, who has been released by the Whites, didn’t overly impress and Wiedwald won back his place. This was short-lived and youngster Bailey Peacock-Farrell ended the season as United’s #1.
That revolving door policy has rightly been not only identified as a weakness, but also as a priority that Leeds must address. That’s where Chelsea’s impressive young keeper Jamal Blackman comes in. Rumours were abound, and these seem to have moved on to something more concrete:
Sky Sources: Jamal Blackman loan deal agreed. The player is continuing his medical today and is expected to sign and train with the team on Monday #lufc
— Tim Thornton (@SkySports_Tim) July 14, 2018
Blackman knows the Football League well, having appeared on previous loans at Wycombe Wanderers (2016/17) and last season he was part of the impressive Sheffield United side. Whilst with the Blades, the Chelsea loanee featured in 31 Sky Bet Championship appearances, conceding 34 times and keeping nine clean sheets.
Blackman’s appointment, he’s said to be ready to train with his new Leeds United teammates on Monday, will be a massive leap towards shoring up one of the problem areas at the club from last season.
