The Leeds United centre back was omitted from the Championship’s Team of the Season in favour of the Brighton and Hove Albion defender.
A common argument among Leeds United supporters this season has surrounded the fact that, while Pontus Jansson has hogged the headlines, earned cult hero status and essentially wrapped up the signing of the season stakes, centre-back partner Kyle Bartley has slipped under the radar.
After all, the 25-year-old, a loan addition from Swansea City, is one half of arguably the most solid defensive pairing outside the Premier League. It’s just unfortunate that Jansson, with his Hollywood blocks and magic hat, has become the posterboy of Garry Monk’s Leeds revolution.
And, typically, the Swedish defender is front and centre in the official Championship Team of the Year. And while it’s impossible to downplay the impact Jansson has had at Leeds this season, providing the platform for the most unexpected promotion challenge, it seems a little unfair that Bartley was once again overlooked.
However, if the former Arsenal youngster doesn’t deserve a place ahead of Jansson, should he instead have been chosen to partner him in the back four? Without their superb understanding at the back, it’s doubtful that Chris Wood’s goals alone would have carried Leeds into fourth place with just eight games to go.
The question, therefore, is whether that oft irrepressible partnership should have been recognised by the Team of the Year.
Lewis Dunk, the inspirational core of a Brighton side with the second best defensive record in the division, was given the nod in the end of season gongs but do the stats say that he deserves a place over Bartley?
Well, sorry Leeds fans but yes.
Dunk averages more tackles, more interceptions and wins more aerial duels per 90 minutes than Bartley while also conceding fewer goals a game on average.
For all Bartley’s excellence this season, the numbers don’t lie. Dunk warrants his selection.
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