The former Leeds striker, who now works as a pundit for BBC Radio Leeds, made the comments following the Whites’ 4-3 win against Fulham at Elland Road in the Premier League on Saturday.
Whelan believes that head coach Marcelo Bielsa needs to sign an experienced defender who knows the Premier League well, and he has used the example of Duffy to make the point that the West Yorkshire outfit need not spend a lot of money to sign someone at the back in the summer transfer window.
Duffy recently joined Scottish Premiership giants Celtic on loan from Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion.
Whelan said on BBC Radio Leeds (5:30pm, September 19, 2020): “Who is the lad that has gone to Celtic on a free? He scored two goals in two games, scored for the Republic of Ireland, I think. Can’t remember his name, just gone off the top of my head. Someone like him might have been.”
Do Leeds United need a new centre-back?
Leeds signed Germany international centre-back Robin Koch, and he is likely to play alongside Liam Cooper as the season progresses.
Pascal Struijk is only 21 years of age, while Oliver Casey is just 19, and while they are very talented and promising young players, the Whites could do with a more experienced player who would be pushing Koch and Cooper.
Former Fulham and Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell has raved about the way Leeds train, and has said on BT Sports: “I’ve seen sessions of how they train and it’s 100 miles an hour, the whole thing!”
Meanwhile, Tportal has reported that 18-year-old central defender Josko Gvardiol has turned down the chance to join Leeds and will continue to play for Dinamo Zagreb, while RMC Sport has claimed that the Whites need to pay €15 million (£13.75 million) as transfer fee for 19-year-old Toulouse midfielder Kouadio Kone.
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