Leeds have been linked with a move for French defender Manuel Cabit.
Marcelo Bielsa has a big decision to make at left-back. Leeds United have failed to replace the loss of Charlie Taylor at left-back since his departure to Burnley – and it has shown.
Gaetano Berardi was used to begin with, but he struggled before Leeds signed Laurens De Bock in January from Club Brugge. But he was hardly given a chance before suffering an injury and failing to win his place back after that.
Tom Pearce’s breakthrough into the side towards the end of the season boasts plenty of promise, but he is still largely inexperienced and if Bielsa is to mount a promotion campaign, surely a more experienced left-back is required.
Leeds are keen on a move for for AC Ajaccio left-back Manuel Cabit according to the Daily Mirror (Tuesday, 13:48pm), who is set to leave the French side on a free with his contract set to end on June 30.
However, Leeds fans will be unsure over signing another unproven defender from overseas, with the likes of Felix Wiedwald, Mateusz Klich, Pawel Cibicki and Jay-Roy Grot all struggling since their moves to England.
Instead, Bielsa should look to save Leeds some money by giving De Bock another chance to shine at left-back – and finally prove why the Whites decided to bring him to Elland Road.
De Bock, 25, played in the Champions League for Brugge against Leicester City back in 2016-17, and has even been called up the Belgian national side. However, he was ostracised by Paul Heckingbottom.
He boasts the kind of calibre of player that Leeds will want this summer, and needs to be given more of a chance after just seven appearances for the Whites.
Bielsa must give him every chance to shine during pre-season and offer him the chance to become Leeds’ first-choice left-back. Indeed, if he does rediscover his Brugge form, De Bock could save Leeds a chunk of cash – with Bielsa shelving plans on signing Cabit or indeed any other left-back.
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