The Evening Standard report that Chelsea are ready to loan out a number of young players currently on their tour of the US, including defender Bashir Humphreys – he could be ideal for Leeds United with a new centre-back needed.
Humphreys, 20, has returned to Chelsea this summer after spending the second half of last year on loan at German club Paderborn, in the second tier. He played 13 times, having outgrown U21 football with Chelsea’s reserve team.
He needs to go on loan again, especially after Graham Potter handed him a first-team debut against Manchester City in January – a 4-0 defeat in the FA Cup. He played on Wednesday night, shining in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle.
But the report states that Mauricio Pochettino is willing to loan him out, and a Championship move is likely for the England U20 international. Leeds, meanwhile, need additions on the right side of central defence this summer.
Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Rasmus Kristensen have all left. Charlie Cresswell has returned but surely, Leeds need another right-footed central defender without affecting Cresswell’s game time. Humphreys would be perfect.
Chelsea ready to loan out Humphreys, could be ideal for Leeds
He might not start every game but he would be excellent competition, and solid cover for Cresswell – who did suffer injuries last season. A player that could easily play 25 times for Leeds next season. His contract ends in June 2024.
But Chelsea have the option of a further year and that means a loan makes most sense. A ball-playing defender, a player that can dribble and pass – as well as defend. He could be our next Ben White, if we nab Humphreys on loan.
In the summer of 2019, Leeds brought in White – a complete unknown, from Brighton, to bolster the middle of our defence. A loan, from a Premier League club, to boost a promotion hunt. He did just that. Humphreys could be next.
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