Leeds United letting Tom Lees leave for Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday still looks baffling three years on.
Lees versus Leeds
A tricky Yorkshire derby away to Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend promises to be a real test for Pennington in only his third appearance for the club with Cooper unavailable.
Therefore, it doesn’t help that a man Leeds United let go for nothing in 2014 will be once again hoping to prove a point to his former club at Hillsborough.
Tom Lees came through the ranks at Leeds but, despite showing plenty of promise across over 100 appearances, was allowed to leave for a local rival on a free despite having two years remaining on his contract.
And Lees has duly developed into one of the Championship’s most consistent and respected centre-halves since Leeds let him go. And it’s fair to say Christiansen would love to be able to call on him as The Whites aim to get back to winning ways on Sunday.
Leeds own defensive situation
Matthew Pennington could hardly have returned to full fitness at a better time for Leeds United.
Making only his second appearance since suffering an injury on the opening day of the season at Bolton Wanderers, the Everton loanee was brought at half time in the midweek defeat to Cardiff City after Liam Cooper picked up a second yellow just before the interval.
A lack of depth at centre-half remains a cause for concern in a Leeds side that otherwise look strong all across the park with 21-year-old Conor Shaughnessy, a midfielder by trade, forced to drop into the back four on three occasions already this season.
And, although Cooper stepped up impressively to form a promising partnership with Pontus Jansson, it seems that Thomas Christiansen is only an injury or suspension away from a serious selection headache.
And, though the majority of Leeds’ summer signings have looked inspired so far, their failure to sign another centre-half following the departure of Kyle Bartley was viewed by many fans as a mistake.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
