Leeds United are gearing up for another season in the Championship after their agonising play-off defeat.
While Leeds were in the hunt to secure a ticket to the Premier League this season, plenty of fans were unapologetic in expressing their hope that going up would take the Whites one step closer to handing James Milner that emotional return to Elland Road at some stage in the future.
Dreams of that Milner return will have to be put on ice for the time-being with Marcelo Bielsa’s side set to be playing Championship football next year.
But their agonising play-off semi-final defeat should not put an end to the club’s hopes of re-signing a former player that clearly has unfinished business at Leeds.
If the Whites decision-makers are ruthless this summer, they may feel that improvements need to be made in the middle of the park. Kalvin Phillips will surely attract interest, and even if they manage to hold onto him, they arguably need greater quality and depth in central midfield.
So given his versatility, his Championship experience and his relationship with the club, perhaps Leeds should look at Middlesbrough’s Jonny Howson this summer.
Howson made 225 appearances for the Whites before his departure in 2012, scoring 10 league goals in their first campaign back in the Championship back in 2010/11.
According to Transfermarkt, Howson’s contract expires at the end of next season. If that remains the case throughout the summer, then perhaps the 30-year-old – who cost Boro £6 million in 2017 (via Daily Mail) – may be available at a decent price.
He may not be a marquee addition at this stage of his career. But he could be an incredibly shrewd signing on and off the pitch. He could play almost any role in Bielsa’s midfield, and would be a fantastic mentor for someone like Jamie Shackleton while the youngster continues to push for that regular spot in the Leeds lineup.
A handful of Leeds fans tend to be against the notion of seeing former players targeted – unless the prospect of Milner, Fabian Delph or Lewis Cook returning presents itself in the future – but Howson would surely relish the chance to help Leeds get across the line if he is offered the chance to return.
Leeds should certainly ask the question.
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