Pontus Jansson was a loan player arrival last season who really galvanised Leeds United and helped make them the 2016/17 success story that they were. Now, in an article carried on Swedish media site fotbollskanalen, he’s turning his attention to criticising the club’s playing policy.
Jansson’s arrival on loan from Serie A side Torino came at an early low point to Leeds United’s early campaign. He arrived with the Whites struggling near the foot of the table, the relegation places just below them. However, and forming a solid partnership with Kyle Bartley, the Swedish international was instrumental in turning around Leeds’ fortunes.
The turnaround was almost Biblical in its effort, Leeds United hitting the play-off’s 11 games after his arrival and staying there for 26 games and 142 days. Only a late drop in form saw the Whites fall out of the play-off picture and end up in an agonising 7th place in the table.
By then Jansson has agreed a permanent deal at Elland Road, converting from his temporary loan deal and Leeds United picking up an agreed price for the rangy Swedish defender. He’s a player that fans wanted, his energy and enthusiasm endearing the terrace faithful to him.
However, in the above article Jansson is critical of the club and the way that they are treating his fellow Swede Pawel Cibicki. Jansson, speaking to fotbollskanalen says that the club’s treatment of forward Cibicki is “sick” and not in the way it is used by teenagers of today. Cibicki has featured just seven times for the Whites since arriving from Jansson’s former side Malmö, performing well and providing two assists.
He’s also scored twice in an Under-23 game, but this seems not enough to convince those in charge at Elland Road to slot him in to the action. This has rankled Jansson who said, “I think it’s quite sick that he does not play anymore.”
He goes on to say that, “He did well when he played and he deserves more, but then I can understand the new coach who may not have seen Pawel so much.” Cibicki was an unused substitute for Leeds United in their last game, a 2-1 win on Good Friday against Bolton Wanderers.
Leeds travel from a snowy West Yorkshire today to take on promotion-chasing Fulham in a game that pitches 12th against 3rd – a game where three points will be more than welcome for both sides.
