Leeds are in need of new signings this summer despite the season starting tomorrow with a home meeting against Cardiff City.
Daniel Farke’s defence is a point of focus in August after Max Wöber was confirmed as the latest loan outgoing, and the club have been linked with a move.
After Alan Nixon initially revealed Leeds’ interest in Manchester City’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis, LeedsLive’s Beren Cross has relayed these claims, sharing that the club have initiated “tentative” enquiries to sign the 21-year-old defender.
Here, we look at two reasons why Leeds must heavily pursue a move to sign Harwood-Bellis…
It’s quite obvious that we need a centre-back this season, with only three senior options present after Wöber wormed his way to the Bundesliga.
It leaves Leeds with two left-sided centre-back and one right-sided centre-back, meaning that a right-footed defender would be a huge boost to the balance of the side.
At present, only Charlie Cresswell is a right-centre-back, beyond the likes of Kris Moore and Jeremiah Mullen, meaning the club are seriously lacking in depth for a 46-game season.
Harwood-Bellis has proven to be a very robust Championship defender, only suffering one injury setback of note in three loan spells in the division, coming in Burnley’s run-in last season.
The way Vincent Kompany changed the narrative around Burnley’s style of play was incredible as they dominated the league last season, and that starts with the back four.
At the heart of it was Harwood-Bellis, who proved to be a vital cog for the Clarets as they cantered to the title and an instant return to the Premier League.
If Leeds need someone who can come into a relatively transitional side in terms of incomings and outgoings, they have someone more than capable in Harwood-Bellis, given that’s exactly what he did at Turf Moor.
Without even looking at his profile and style of play, it’s easy to see why he’d suit Leeds after suiting Kompany’s side so well.
