Leeds United could have done with one of their former players this season.
Despite a massive squad overhaul back in the summer, Leeds United are struggling for the consistency they need to ensure promotion come May, and one of their main problems is at the back.
While Pontus Jansson, Liam Cooper and Matthew Pennington have all shown their quality at times, the jury is out on the latter, while the big Swede is not guaranteed a starting spot under new manager Thomas Christiansen.
This is the same Jansson who formed an outstanding partnership with former Leeds loanee Kyle Bartley, and if Whites fans had the choice they would surely love to see the Swansea City player back at Elland Road.
He is not the only former defender who could have done a fine job for Leeds this season, with Sol Bamba looking superb in a holding midfield role when the Whites came up against his current club Cardiff City last month.
So who would Leeds fans prefer to have back if they had the choice?
While the likely answer is Bartley – a defender who would not have stood for some of the sloppy performances of recent months – there is also a case for Bamba given his ability further forward to shield the back line.
The Ivorian could have played in a midfield three, allowing Leeds’ centre-backs to know they had an additional barrier between them and their goal.
Bartley is the one that got away all too soon, while Bamba fell out of favour before reinventing himself in Wales, but either could have come in very handy as Leeds look to finally make it back to the top flight after far too long away.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
