Pontus Jansson appears to have been snubbed for the captaincy once again.
Pontus Jansson’s agent Martin Dahlin admitted in January that there was a lot of interest in the defender but he had no plans to leave the club mid-season. [via Express]
If Jansson does end up leaving Leeds this summer, the club may kick themselves for refusing to give him a leadership role.
The Swede is the most natural captain in Leeds United’s team.
He is an automatic selection, he is vocal, he puts his body on the line, and he inspires both teammates and the crowd.
But now a third manager in succession appears to have decided against handing Jansson the captain’s armband.
In Paul Heckingbottom’s defence, making a change mid-season is always tough, but with Liam Cooper suspended, the new manager had the perfect opportunity to make the transition.
Giving Jansson the armband not only is the smart move on the pitch, but it would also increase the player’s bond with the club.
It would make it harder for the Swede to walk away and quit the club in the summer if a Premier League opportunity comes along. Not impossible, but certainly tougher.
If Liam Cooper or Eunan O’Kane was to move on, there would not be an outcry from Leeds fans. If Jansson departed, there will be a mini-meltdown from supporters, seeing it as a huge backwards step for the club.
Combine his importance with his leadership qualities, and it seems Leeds are really missing an opportunity which later could come back to bite them.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
