Pontus Jansson has endured a difficult start to the season for Leeds United, but has recently been awarded a new five-year deal at Elland Road.
Despite being a crucial member of the Leeds squad during their early season run when they kept six Championship clean sheets in a row, Pontus Jansson has struggled to replicate the form that made him so influential during his first season at Elland Road.
He, himself, admitted via social media that his form had not been up to standard (via The Times), and it has arguably been a lot more noticeable in recent weeks with the Whites’ form as a team dropping off.
So perhaps the latest gesture from the club towards the Swede may be exactly what Jansson needs to get himself back on track.
It was announced on the club’s official website that Jansson had signed a new five-year deal at Elland Road as Leeds continue their efforts to get as many of the current first-team tied down to long-term deals as possible.
With the 26-year-old only starting a permanent deal with the club in the summer, there was arguably no urgent need to get Jansson tied down for longer – and the centre-back should take heart from that fact.
The extension is a major vote of confidence from the club, and the fans have also contributed to that by reacting so positively to the news, so perhaps the contract is the catalyst that Jansson will need to get himself back on track.
Though the game ended in a defeat, the former Torino man arguably performed well when he came on against Sheffield United on Friday, looking solid and doing what he needed to do with minimal fuss.
And Thomas Christiansen will be hoping that the new contract is looked back upon as a turning point for a man who has the potential the turnaround that Leeds really need after their recent run.
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