Leeds United have let Vurnon Anita leave.
Leeds United decided to let Vurnon Anita leave the club last week after a disappointing season at Elland Road.
Anita was released by Newcastle United in June 2017, and was quickly snapped up by Leeds and unveiled at their kit launch.
A former Dutch international, Anita played in 28 games for Newcastle as they won promotion in 2016/17.
Was it a mistake to just let him leave the Toon on a free transfer?
Anita’s year at Leeds United has serves to underline that Newcastle were right not to take him with them to the Premier League.
Anita failed to hold down a regular place in the Leeds team, and was used as a back-up in a variety of positions, without ever really excelling.
The 29-year-old did not impress Marcelo Bielsa enough to be allowed to stay, and he has been sent back to Holland and loaned to Willem II.
That has not started too well, with Anita’s new side losing 6-1 to Ajax this weekend.
Anita has certainly suffered from his flexibility which meant Leeds were never sure quite where his best position was.
After just signing him on a free, they weren’t committed to making it work in the way they would have been if a big fee had been invested.
Newcastle may be scrapping it out in the lower half of the Premier League this season but they achieved their goal of survival last year, finishing as high as 10th.
Letting go of Anita has been proven out to be the right call.
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