Leeds United cannot seem to win without the summer signing in their line-up.
Prior to Leeds United’s match against Reading, the only reported injury concern was Caleb Ekuban, with the summer signing continuing his recovery from a broken foot. And yet, when the teams were announced, Vurnon Anita was missing for the third straight game.
The former Newcastle United man featured in eight of Leeds’ first nine league games this season, experiencing only one defeat in that time. But since his prolonged absence the Whites have experienced three straight defeats and one wonders if it is more than just a coincidence.
After all, despite being a firm fan favourite, Gaetano Berardi has struggled at left-back since replacing Anita, and Leeds have looked far from the well-oiled machine they were in the first few weeks of the campaign, defeating all before them with an impressive attacking flair and a seemingly solid defensive framework.
That is not the case now, and Anita cannot return to the Leeds starting XI soon enough.
If there is an underlying fitness issue, Leeds fans will be hoping it is resolved as soon as possible. But if Whites boss Thomas Christiansen is simply overlooking the Dutchman, it is yet another inexplicable decision to add to those involving Stuart Dallas, Ronaldo Vieira and Pablo Hernandez.
Next up for Leeds is a trip to Bristol City and Anita deserves to start before the Whites’ season capitulates all too soon.
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