Leeds United should steer clear of Newcastle United’s Freddie Woodman.
Leeds United are among the teams interested in Newcastle United’s Freddie Woodman, according to The Chronicle.
The Elland Road club are in need of a new goalkeeper this January and a loan move for the 21-year-old has been touted.
As good as Woodman is, signing him would be a massive risk by Leeds.
Woodman, who hasn’t made his league debut for the St James’s Park side yet, could be brilliant. In fact, Magpies boss Rafael Benitez said he was the ‘future of Newcastle’ once upon a time [The Chronicle], but the Whites have way too much riding on this season.
There is nothing wrong with signing a young and inexperienced goalkeeper as back-up, but if he’s playing second fiddle to another young and inexperienced goalkeeper, such as Bailey Peacock-Farrell, then it could be a recipe for disaster.
Peacock-Farrell is a big talent but mistakes are inevitable for 22-year-old stopper, as he demonstrated in the 4-1 defeat by West Brom earlier this month.
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has already admitted that he was on the brink of dropping the Northern Ireland prior to Jamal Blackman’s leg break.
If Peacock-Farrell has another rough spell this season, and in all probability he will, then does Bielsa really want someone with 30 senior appearances under his belt replacing him? Ideally not.
Leeds have a great shot of Premier League promotion, returning to the top flight for the first time since 2004, but they would completely jeopardise that dream by signing Woodman.
It’s an unnecessary risk and one that should be avoided.
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