Why Ben Cabango would be an exciting signing for Leeds United
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United are currently mulling over a move for young Swansea City centre-back Ben Cabango, with Marcelo Bielsa looking to add more depth to his squad.
As per the report, Whites director of football Victor Orta is an admirer of the 20-year-old but the West Yorkshire giants are yet to make a formal approach for the Welsh starlet.
Leeds have also been credited with an interest in 18-year-old Dinamo Zagreb central defender Josko Gvardiol, a clear indication that Bielsa is looking to bolster his backline even further following the capture of German star Robin Koch.
Profile
Born in Cardiff, Wales, to an Angolan father and a Welsh mother, Ben Cabango started his footballing career in the youth ranks of Newport County. He then joined Swansea City’s academy.
The 20-year-old made the step up to the Swans’ first-team after spending the 2018-19 season on loan at Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints. Cabango made his senior debut in a League Cup tie against Northampton Town before earning his Championship debut against Huddersfield Town.
The young central defender earned plenty of plaudits as one of the most exciting breakthrough stars in the English second-tier last term. He started 20 league games as Steve Cooper’s side finished 6th in the standings and qualified for the playoffs.
Cabango’s impressive displays in the Championship last season earned him a call-up to Ryan Giggs’ senior Wales side for UEFA Nations League fixtures against Finland and Bulgaria.
Cabango would add more depth to Leeds’ backline
Leeds United have already signed Robin Koch from Freiburg to fill in the void left by last season’s star loanee Ben White. The German is expected to partner captain Liam Cooper at the heart of the Whites’ defence in the Premier League next season.
However, with veteran Gaetano Berardi likely to spend the rest of 2020 on the treatment table with a long-term injury, Bielsa has very little cover in central defence beyond Cooper and Koch. Leif Davis is an exciting prospect but remains very much an unproven talent at the highest level after playing only a handful of cameos in the Championship.
To put things into perspective, Leeds need at least another centre-back in their ranks to avoid a potential injury crisis in the Premier League next season. Ben Cabango seems like a feasible option to boost squad depth.
The 20-year-old was quite brilliant in the Championship last season and he deserves a shot at the Premier League, which would be the next big step in his career.
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Verdict
Marcelo Bielsa’s presence at the helm has had a positive impact on the development of young homegrown prospects like Leif Davis, Jamie Shackleton and Pascal Struijk among others.
An immensely talented player with loads of potential, Ben Cabango still has plenty of room for development. Leeds could have a gem on their hands if Bielsa manages to work his magic on the Swans graduate.
