A report has suggested that Thomas Christiansen plans to deploy Vurnon Anita at right-back for Leeds United.
With just under three weeks to go before Leeds take on Bolton on the opening day of the Championship season and with the Whites away on their pre-season tour, supporters would be forgiven for beginning to worry about the lack of centre-backs within the squad.
With Kyle Bartley back at Swansea and Giuseppe Bellusci seemingly on the verge of leaving, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Thomas Christiansen has few options to pick from as things stand with Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper the only other natural options within the senior squad.
Vurnon Anita
But perhaps the Yorkshire Evening Post’s suggestions regarding the plans for Vurnon Anita should make Leeds fans feel slightly more at ease about the current situation.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Christiansen plans to predominantly use the versatile Dutchman at right-back, which may have perhaps come as a surprise to Leeds supporters.
Anita’s ability to play across the defence and in midfield coupled with Luke Ayling’s form in the position last season may have meant that some fans may have expected the summer signing to feature elsewhere.
But with Ayling playing so well last term, perhaps it would be fair to assume that Anita’s inclusion will not restrict the former Bristol City man’s involvement during the coming season, and instead the 25-year-old – who is more than capable of playing in the middle – may be the man Christiansen turns to to bolster the centre-back options if no new faces arrive.
Having Anita play on the right with Ayling and Gaetano Berardi – who will surely be first-choice left-back if no more additions are made this summer – as cover, while also having Ayling rival Jansson and Cooper for the central roles will leave the squad stretched but, as things stand, it may be the best option for the team if adding more players is easier said than done.
Is Luke Ayling the answer to Leeds’ centre-back issues if Anita is playing at right-back?
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