Noel Whelan backs decision to not make Pontus Jansson Leeds captain for Leicester tie

Follow us on Google Discover

Leeds United take on Leicester City in the Carabao Cup, with Pablo Hernandez captaining the side with Liam Cooper on the bench.

Noel Whelan has told BBC Radio Leeds ahead of Leeds’ Carabao Cup tie with Leicester that it was probably the right decision from Thomas Christiansen to not make Pontus Jansson captain for the tie.

With Liam Cooper rested and Luke Ayling left on the bench for the tie at the King Power Stadium as Christiansen made 10 changes from the team that beat Bristol City at the weekend, Leeds fans would have been forgiven for looking at the teamsheet and thinking that Jansson would be the obvious choice to captain the side against the Foxes.

The Swede has been a key man since making his Elland Road move and has the capability to inspire the rest of the team with his style of play.

However, his form in recent times has not been quite as impressive, and he took to Instagram to issue an incredibly frank assessment of his recent performances before the weekend win – which he sat out.

Nevertheless, it would have still surprised many that Christiansen handed Pablo Hernandez the armband instead of Jansson. But Whelan suggested that he could understand the decision as Jansson had not conducted himself in the best manner with his recent social media comments – but also backed the defender to get himself back on track.

“If you’re going to be a captain, you’ve got to be a leader on the field but more so, off the field. He’s not really glowing at the moment with what he did with his tweets but I’m sure he’ll learn from that,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.