Leeds should consider swoop for Everton’s Phil Jagielka

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Leeds United should consider the Everton defender.

Leeds United have one less worry after Pontus Jansson reiterated his commitment to the club on Thursday in spite of outside “interest” in him (via Fotboll Skanalen).

Ideally, Jansson and Leeds fans will be hoping that Kyle Bartley re-signs for the club this summer after impressing alongside the Swede in United’s defence last term.

But the Whites should draw up a list of potential replacements in the event that they cannot permanently sign the Swansea City centre-back – a very real scenario given his commanding defensive performances under now-departed boss Garry Monk.

And one name which could and probably should be near the top of that list is Everton’s Phil Jagielka.

Had things gone a little differently then Leeds could be a Premier League club now, but one victory from their last eight Championship outings put paid to their hopes of finishing in the playoffs which, at one point, looked very likely.

It was unfamiliar territory for a team who were crying out for an experienced head to help steady the ship at a crucial period, and bringing in the Everton man, who skippered Sheffield United to Premier League promotion in 2006, could rectify that issue should they find themselves in a similar position next April.

The 34-year-old, who turns 35 in August, still has plenty to offer. If he didn’t then he might not have started 25 Premier League games for Everton – who finished seventh – last term.

Sure he might have lost a bit of pace down the years, but speed was never a huge element in his game which means that losing some of it will not and has not rendered him a liability.

His age and the fact that his contract expires next summer will mean that Leeds won’t need to break the bank to get him – and they should.

He isn’t a hugely fashionable player, and the club probably won’t recoup the transfer fee by selling shirts with his name on the back. He isn’t a big name, but he certainly could be a big player.

Of course, he is not a long-term solution, given his advancing years, but Leeds should explore the prospect of bringing him. It could make all the difference.