‘Big prospect’: Dean Smith previously raved about defender now linked with Leeds

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Dean Smith once described Axel Tuanzebe as a ‘big prospect’ as rumours now suggest that Leeds United are keen on his services.

The Sun on Sunday (print edition, page 63, July 26, 2020) has claimed that Leeds will turn their attention to the Manchester United defender if they are unable to sign Ben White following their promotion to the Premier League.

Tuanzebe, who was on-loan at Aston Villa last season, came up against Leeds and could now be donning their shirt if the Whites push for his signature.

Villa boss Smith, who worked with the Old Trafford academy product closely last term, shared an insight into the type of player Leeds could be signing if he were to turn up at Elland Road.

After working with Tuanzebe for only a couple of weeks, Smith was already well aware that he was coaching a top talent.

“He has got great pace,” Smith told AVFC’s website. “He is a big prospect. I have known of him anyway playing through the junior ranks at England and watching his progression through that, and he looks a good player.”

Then as the games and months progressed, Smith later then shared that he would provide Manchester United with a glowing reference about their young player.

“If Ole wants to ring me, I’ll give him an excellent report on Axel,” Smith told the Mirror. “He came here as a right-back. But I always felt he had the capabilities to be a really good centre-half.

“He is proving that. He has really grown here. He is showing an awful lot of composure. His awareness has also got better, perhaps with the experience of playing.

“He is quick, no question about that. But his understanding of the game has improved, so he doesn’t need to rely on his pace as much. He can bring the ball out. He can pass. He can see the feet of our forwards and hit them accurately.”

After Tuanzebe helped Villa earn promotion to the Premier League, he returned to Old Trafford but has struggled with game time and injuries.

Whilst the Leeds fans would want White to sign on the dotted line if Brighton are stubborn in letting their player go then Marcelo Bielsa may have to look elsewhere.

If Tuanzebe is the guy who walks through the door as his replacement then as Smith’s comments prove, they are getting a player who can become a top performer.