The doom n’ gloom was circling Elland Road in the summer when it was revealed that key defender Pontus Jansson was to leave the club. Social media was awash with wailings and cries.
It later transpired that the late-back-from-summer central defender wasn’t being given special dispensation for a longer break, it was finagling behind the scenes that was seeing the popular Swede shunted out of the West Yorkshire club on a managed move.
Bad attitude and such was said to be the reason behind his leaving, that and a breakdown in the relationship between him and Marcelo Bielsa. His leaving left fans bereft of feeling and looking to the transfer market to replace him with a ‘name’.
That name, as it transpired, was Brighton’s rated centre-back, Ben White. Ben Who? That became something of a rallying call around the Facebook groups and Twitter newsfeeds linked to Leeds United fans. That ‘who’ bit was pretty much answered very quickly. Here are some examples of just how White has silenced any doubting Thomases and Thomasinas.
👊 Get yourself a defender who can do both. Ben White is just that. #LUFC #EFLWonderkids pic.twitter.com/BZBky0L1n2
— Super 6 (@Super6) October 1, 2019
White’s performances have both silenced the doubters and whetted the appetites of Leeds United fans in equal measure and to an equal degree. He’s got poise and panache in his skill-set and the above video shows him to be one of those rare players who perform beyond his tender years.
Such has been the level of his performance that there is a sizeable and growing, contingent of Leeds United fans wanting the club to go big in January and try to buy him in full-time from Premier League Brighton and Hove Albion. Here are a few reactions from Leeds United fans on that tweeted highlights thread.
White’s alright say Leeds United fans
Lots of us were worried when we replaced Jansson with this lad, but he’s literally just too good for the Champ. Ridiculously composed player.
— Frainy_180 (@frainy_180) October 1, 2019
… good point. Get the vid taken down ASAP.
— AndyW (@imrahil_prince) October 2, 2019
Have they not seen his diags?
— Luke (@TurfLUFC) October 1, 2019
Pure class. All those who panicked about selling our old no.18. Knew he was something special at guisely pre season. Pulled on that shirt and has been incredible #lufc
— Debbie Young 💙💛 (@Debyoung76) October 2, 2019
He’s rubbish, Brighton should cut their losses and give him to us for about 3mil
— Dibble (@MattDibble1996) October 1, 2019
Not many defenders sit strikers on their arses. But Ben White does it on multiple occasions, best defender in the championship
— Joe (@Rhino12344) October 1, 2019
Best defender in the league and it ain’t even close, said how good he was from the start. So composed on the ball give him a season in the prem and he’ll walk into England’s defence.
— Kieran (@KFeltham10) October 1, 2019
Absolutely brilliant player. I doubted he could replace Pontus…but wow was I wrong. He is much a better player
— Matt Lawson (@Matt27Lawson) October 1, 2019
