The Leeds United boss is delighted with his summer signing.
Garry Monk has told LUTV that defender Kyle Bartley is determined to “make it a good year” for himself and Leeds United.
Monk brought the 25-year-old to Leeds on a season-long loan from Swansea City, having managed the former Arsenal academy product in South Wales for a couple of years.
And the big centre-back has been outstanding alongside Pontus Jansson in the heart of the Whites’ defence, with United fifth in the Championship and in firm contention to win promotion back to the Premier League come May.
Bartley was never a prominent figure at Swansea – even during Monk’s two-year reign – but the 38-year-old manager reveals that he has never seen his defender in better form.
“I’ve known Kyle for a long time and I know the qualities that he has. But I think this is by far the best I’ve seen Kyle Bartley play,” he told LUTV.
“He’s matured, he’s taken responsibility, he understands this is an important season for him, having played bit parts for the last two or three years.
“So he’s taken the bull by the horns and he is determined to make it a good year. I think he’s enjoying his time here and the lads enjoy being with him.
“To see that improvement in him, in his game and with his leadership is good to see.”
It remains to be seen if Bartley will stay at Leeds beyond the summer, but it seems that he most probably regardless if they win promotion or not.
If they do, though, then Monk will still need to strengthen his defensive options. Bartley is in fine form but the fact of the matter is that he has previously struggled in the Premier League.
It is a big step up in class. He might be ready for it now, but in the past he has not been good enough and it would be naive for Monk not to sign a top-quality centre-back in the summer in the hope that Bartley does the business.
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