Leeds United may have no luck trying to sign one of Brighton’s key players, but they must surely try.
It may be odd to suggest that Leeds should target a new goalkeeper just days after Rob Green put in one of his finest displays for the club in the agonising defeat to Huddersfield, but that performance arguably highlighted to Garry Monk that the Whites must sign another stopper should they go up.
That is because it came just weeks after Marco Silvestri’s disappointing performance against Sutton United in the FA Cup where he showed that, despite a couple of good saves, he is simply not learning from the criticisms that have been levelled at him almost since the moment he arrived at Elland Road.
It is a big if at the moment, but if Leeds manage to secure promotion then going into a season in the top flight with Green and Silvestri as their first choice goalkeepers – Bailey Peacock-Farrell will surely not be ready for such a task – would be a gamble that Monk should not look to take.
Leeds’ Rob Green
Instead, and it may be a move that may prove too ambitious to pull off, but Leeds should instead target a fellow promotion chaser.
Brighton goalkeeper David Stockdale is entering the final few months of his contract at the Amex Stadium, and the Mirror recently suggested that he is looking for a lucrative new deal with the Seagulls.
Stockdale has arguably been the Championship’s best goalkeeper this season, so it is hardly a surprise that Chelsea are considering a move for him as they consider potential understudies for Thibaut Courtois (via Mirror).
In normal circumstances, Leeds should be unable to compete with the likes of Chelsea and a Brighton side that look to be well on their way to securing automatic-promotion. But there is perhaps one crucial factor that could bring the Whites into the race, even if they are unable to offer the kind of terms that the other two can.
Brighton’s David Stockdale
Stockdale has openly admitted to being a Leeds fan and has previously spoken of his hope that the Yorkshire side join Brighton in securing automatic promotion (via Sky Sports).
If it becomes apparent that Brighton are not willing to offer the kind of terms that he wants, and the lure of frequently sitting on the bench at Chelsea is not enough to tempt him to Stamford Bridge, Leeds have to do their best to land his signature.
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Representing his boyhood club at the highest level may give Leeds a chance that they would probably not have if it simply came down to how lucrative the contracts on the table were. And the club would surely be foolish to not try and capitalise on the opportunity should they book their ticket to the Premier League for next season.
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