Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom insists there was ‘nothing’ in reports suggesting John Egan could have joined Premier League outfit Leeds United on transfer deadline day, speaking to the Sheffield Star.
Life comes at you fast.
Just two weeks after a famous 3-0 victory over old rivals Chelsea, Jesse Marsch’s side travelled to London – the scene of so many red-faced defeats in the last few seasons – and became an unfortunate footnote in the ‘Ivan Toney for England’ narrative.
Toney ran Leeds ragged as Brentford stormed to a 5-2 win. A player of his talents doesn’t really need a helping hand. But he – and the rest of Thomas Frank’s buzzing beehive – certainly got one.
Diego Llorente had one of those games when he looks flakier than a Greggs sausage roll, while Robin Koch also produced his poorest performance of an otherwise impressive campaign.
Furthermore, Liam Cooper’s injury problems, and the need for Pascal Struijk to fill in on the left, means Leeds are only one more absence away from yet another defensive migraine. Perhaps that, coupled with the inconsistency of Llorente and Koch’s own fitness, is why Leeds looked into a deadline day deal for John Egan.
That is, before reportedly being put off by Sheffield United’s £13 million asking price.
Leeds reportedly like Sheffield United ace John Egan
That is according to The Express anyway. But this is clearly news to Heckingbottom; the former Whites coach playing down reports linking the 29-year-old Republic of Ireland international with the Elland Road outfit.
“Nothing,” was Heckingbottom’s straight-bat response when discussing Leeds’ apparent interest.
Egan, a born leader and a colossus in the air, was a load-bearing pillar in the house that Chris Wilder built at Bramall Lane. He played a major role in their shock European push during the coupon-busting 2019/20 season.
He’s also captained the Blades six times this season, helping drag Sheffield United to the summit of the Championship table. Sheffield United have won five games from eight, and sit a point clear of Norwich City.
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