Left-back has been an issue for a number of years at Leeds United. Numerous left-sided defenders have come and gone, as Leeds struggle to fill the gap permanently – and that remains the case.
Sam Byram joined Leeds in the summer, rejoining the club after leaving for West Ham in January 2016. But injuries have played their part, limiting Byram this season and in the second half of the campaign.
Junior Firpo, who is currently away with the Dominican Republic and is likely to miss Friday’s outing against Watford, is first choice. But Firpo is far from the player we thought we were getting from Barca.
Indeed, the left-back slot has not been held down since Charlie Taylor left the club in 2017. Barry Douglas, Gjanni Alioski, Laurens De Bock and Firpo have come in to solve the issue – but they have failed to do so.
Charlie Taylor comments on future after Leeds links in January
Taylor, 30, has been linked with a return to Leeds. Even in January – after links in the summer – we were keen on bringing him back to Leeds. Graeme Bailey told LeedsUnited.News we were ready to sign him.
The Burnley star played 104 times for Leeds after breaking into the senior side before his move to Turf Moor. He played 154 times for Burnley in the Premier League, before winning promotion last season.
But now, the Leeds academy graduate is about to see his contract at Vincent Kompany’s side expire. Taylor has spoke to the Burnley Express about his future – refusing to rule out an exit on a free transfer.
“I’m not really concentrating on anything past the summer, I’m just happy to be playing every week. I’m enjoying my football and trying to do the best for this club and get us up the table and out of trouble.”
If Charlie Taylor is available, then he is a no-brainer for Leeds
If Leeds have the chance to sign Taylor – and even better, on a free transfer – then it is an absolute no-brainer. He is the player Leeds have failed to replace over the course of the last seven years, since his exit.
Yes, he is now 30 and not geting any younger. But Leeds have a young squad, and bringing in a player with more than 150 Premier League games under his belt is a necessity, if the club do get promoted.
Even if we aren’t promoted at the end of the season – which would be a travesty given the position we are in – he would be a sensational signing for the Championship. We simply have to get a deal done for him.
For now, Taylor is focused on getting Burnley out of trouble but just as much as we look like we are going to get promoted – it looks as if Burnley will go down. It is in his best interests then, to potentially rejoin.
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