‘Brilliant, really impressed me’: Ryan Giggs hails reported Leeds target

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Wales manager Ryan Giggs has paid tribute to the “brilliant” Ben Cubango on Wales Online amid speculation the Swansea City centre-back is a target for Leeds United.

Leeds’ first game back in the big time was certainly worth the wait.

But while Marcelo Bielsa’s thrilling, free-wheeling side gave reigning champions Liverpool an almighty scare at Anfield, defensive performances like that must be kept to a minimum if Leeds are to establish themselves as a Premier League team once more.

Yes, captain Liam Cooper missed the season’s opener through injury but the fact remains that despite the £13 million signing of Robin Koch, the Yorkshire giants still lack depth at the back.

Pascal Struck isn’t a natural centre-half and, during the 4-3 defeat to Jurgen Klopp’s side, looked every inch a 21-year-old being played out of position against top-quality opposition.

And while Gaetano Berardi looked the part in the Championship, major doubts persist about whether perhaps the most inconsistent member of Bielsa’s squad can make the step up.

Hence Cardiff-born, 20-year-old Cabango has emerged on the radar after a fine breakthrough season in South Wales (Yorkshire Evening Post).

“I had no hesitation in picking Ben,” Manchester United legend Giggs said after handing Cabango his maiden international call-up during September’s Nations League fixtures.

“What you never know is what the player is actually like character-wise until you meet them and work with them. Ben was brilliant and showed he wasn’t intimidated by stepping up to the first team squad. He really impressed me.”

Leeds boss Bielsa is at his best when polishing rough diamonds and Cabango, a defender with only 22 league appearances to his name, could emulate the remarkable strides taken by Ben White, Jack Harrison, Kalvin Phillips and co if he swaps South Wales for West Yorkshire.