Liam Cooper welcomes Matthew Pennington, but he should be concerned

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Leeds United recently signed Matthew Pennington on a season-long loan deal from Everton in the summer transfer window.

Leeds United recently completed the signing of Matthew Pennington from Everton in the summer transfer window.

Pennington has joined Championship club Leeds on a season-long loan deal from Premier League outfit Everton.

The 22-year-old is a very talented and promising young defender who can operate as a centre-back or as a right-back.

The former England Under-19 international has had loan spells at Tranmere Rovers, Coventry City and Walsall in recent years, and the youngster’s arrival at Elland Road has been welcomed by Leeds defender Liam Cooper.

Cooper, who is 25 years of age and can operate as a centre-back or as a left-back, told Leeds’s official website about the signing of Pennington: “Yeah, brilliant. He is a brilliant young talent, he is a good lad. He is a welcome addition to the team and we wish him the best.”

While the former Hull City and Chesterfield defender may be pleased with the addition of Pennington to the squad, he should be concerned as it is his place in the starting lineup that is under threat.

Pontus Jansson is the best centre-back at Leeds, and if the Whites are unable to bring back Kyle Bartley from Swansea City, then, as things stand, Cooper and Pennington will be fighting for the other centre-back position.

The Everton-owned youngster has already made it clear that he wants to play regularly for Leeds next season.

“I’m hoping to play and I’ll be looking to play, that’s why I’m here, but I’m under no illusions,” Pennington told The Yorkshire Evening Post. “I’ll have to perform and I’ll have to show what I can do to get into the team.

“I’m not going to get picked for any other reason. I’ll look for a chance and when it comes I’ll look to take it.

“I’ve been in training since July 3 and I kept myself in good shape over the whole of the summer. I’m feeling fit and I felt good out there. I’m ready to start.”

Pennington seems to be hugely confident and is determined to play regularly for Leeds next season, meaning that Cooper’s place in the team is under threat.

True, both Cooper and Pennington are versatile defenders, but they are likely to be used mainly as centre-backs by Leeds manager Thomas Christiansen.