The Leeds United centre-back has pre-season to prove he can form a formidable partnership with Pontus Jansson.
With defender Kyle Bartley heading back to Swansea City following his loan spell at Leeds United, whoever takes charge at Elland Road this summer has a big decision to make.
Pontus Jansson’s permanent move to the Whites means they have one bona fide defensive great in their ranks, but aside from the Swede there is only Luke Ayling – who has shone at right-back this season – and the much maligned Liam Cooper.
As a consequence, the signing of at least one new centre-back is vital for Leeds in the coming months. However, could Cooper prove his worth to whoever replaces Garry Monk and seal a regular starting spot alongside Jansson?
While the 25-year-old is not every Leeds fan’s cup of tea, it is not beyond the realms of possibility for Cooper to force his way into the new boss’s thinking.
Pre-season will enable him to knuckle down and start afresh, and he will no doubt see Bartley’s exit as the ideal opportunity for him to get back into the first-team fold before his contract expires in 12 months.
Last season Cooper managed 18 appearances in all competitions before a six-match suspension prematurely ended his campaign.
The impressive partnership quickly developed by Bartley and Jansson meant their defensive teammate had to get used to a prolonged spell on the substitutes’ bench, and it is only when he is able to get a run of games together that Leeds fans will see the best of him.
Some will always feel he is simply not good enough; but others will know the glimpses he has shown means he deserves more time alongside a player he so often replaced when Jansson was suspended last season.
Together they at least deserve a chance and given the ongoing confusion at Elland Road that seems a distinct possibility.
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