The loss of Junior Firpo had Leeds United staring down the same barrel, again. The left-back issue has been a problem for years at Elland Road, ever since the summer of 2017.
Charlie Taylor’s move to Burnley that summer has been felt by Leeds ever since. Players have come and gone to try and fill that void, the likes of Barry Douglas, Gjanni Alioski, Laurens De Bock and also Firpo.
But none of them really ever convinced Leeds fans. Douglas was injury-prone, Alioski was a winger, De Bock was awful and Firpo was good in the Championship but a liability while in the Premier League.
Firpo’s contract situation meant Leeds had to sign a left-back this summer, and Gabriel Gudmundsson’s early form looks as though he has solved Leeds’ eight-year problem. But he wasn’t the only option.
Daniel Svensson confirmed Leeds interest earlier this year
Another option was Gudmundsson’s Sweden teammate Daniel Svensson. Leeds were initially linked with Svensson in January, with the versatile defender starring in the Danish Superliga with Nordsjaelland.
But Svensson chose to join Borussia Dortmund instead. The defender cost a bargain £6m fee, and has since been getting plenty of game time with Dortmund. Svensson confirmed Leeds had shown interest.
Asked about interest from Leeds and other clubs by German media, he said: “It’s true, there was interest from other clubs. But, when things got concrete with Borussia Dortmund, I just wanted to come here.
Daniel Svensson scores first Champions League goal last night
The defender has since sparkled for Dortmund, operating as the club’s left wing-back and long-term replacement for Bayern Munich star Raphael Guerreiro. On Wednesday, he started against Bilbao.
The Sweden ace opened the scoring for Dortmund, in a rather impressive 4-1 win over Marcelo Bielsa’s old side. It continues an impressive start for Dortmund, who also sit second in the Bundesliga.
As Svensson’s stock grows, Leeds will feel as though they missed out on a real star – especially, at a bargain price of just £6m. However, Leeds will also be delighted with the signing of Gudmundsson.
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