Leeds must step up Andy Yiadom chase as full-back crisis worsens

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Leeds United are keen on Championship full-back Andy Yiadom, and their need to get him in at Elland Road has surely increased.

One of Leeds’ greatest strengths during their unsuccessful challenge for a Championship play-off spot last season was the quality and form of their full-backs, with Luke Ayling and Charlie Taylor rarely letting the Whites down even when the wheels were coming off their season.

This term however, has been a completely different story. Taylor has moved on and Ayling was not at his best before picking up an injury that has ruled him out for several months.

And in their absence, none of Paul Heckingbottom’s other options have stepped up. The likes of Stuart Dallas and Vurnon Anita have done well given that they are naturally midfielders, while Cameron Borthwick-Jackson’s loan was cut short and several Leeds fans would probably not mind too much if Laurens De Bock’s Elland Road stay was just as brief.

And the full-back crisis became even more severe at the weekend with Gaetano Berardi being sent off for a bizarre lunge. It was Berardi’s third red card of the campaign and now rules him out for the rest of the season.

Heckingbottom probably felt that he did not need any further reminders, but it showed that strengthening the full-back options during the summer has to be a priority – and perhaps, it confirmed that signing Andy Yiadom from Barnsley is a must.

The Yorkshire Evening Post reported in March that he is on Leeds’ radar and will be available on a free transfer with his contract at Oakwell set to expire this summer.

The 26-year-old may not be a marquee name, but he ticks one of the key boxes that the fans want to see ticked when the club go after new signings – he boasts plenty of Championship experience.

Yiadom rarely lets Barnsley down. Berardi was wearing the captain’s armband when dismissed on Saturday, while Yiadom – who currently skippers the Tykes – only boasts five yellow cards in the league all season, and no reds.

And with the Ghana international looking just as comfortable on the left flank as he is on the right, it is difficult to see why Heckingbottom should not view getting Yiadom through the door as a priority this summer, especially with full-back proving to be so problematic this season.