Why Leeds United should sign Rangers star Connor Goldson
According to a report from Football Insider (h/t Burnley Express), Leeds United have joined West Bromwich Albion and Fulham in the race to sign Rangers star Connor Goldson.
Goldson, 27, came through the youth ranks at Shrewsbury Town. After a short loan spell at Cheltenham Town, the defender became a first-team regular at Shrewsbury and went on to make 120 appearances, scoring 8 goals.
Goldson joined Brighton & Hove Albion in 2015 and spent three years at the club, but was hardly a regular in the side. He made just 42 first-team appearances for the Seagulls before Rangers picked him in 2018. Since joining the Gers, the Englishman has become a key member of the team and has racked up 105 appearances in two seasons, bagging 8 goals.
Leeds United, meanwhile, have enjoyed a fine campaign in the EFL Championship. The Whites have been dominant for large phases of the season. And as a result, they are seated at the top of the table with 71 points from 37 matches. Should the season resume, they are primed for an automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Leeds lack depth in the centre-back department
Marcelo Bielsa’s team have fared very well defensively this season. They have conceded just 30 goals in 37 league games this season, boasting the best defensive record in the division.
In Ben White, Liam Cooper and Gaetano Berardi, Leeds have three centre-backs at their disposal currently. However, White is only on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion and should return once the season ends.
In addition, Berardi’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season. Hence, adding another new defender in the summer becomes imperative for the club, irrespective of their league status.
And Connor Goldson, to that end, would be a wise addition to the squad. The 27-year-old has left behind his injury-riddled spell at Brighton and found his footing at Rangers. He featured 34 times in the Premiership last season, in which he helped the Gers secure 15 clean sheets. They enjoyed the second-best defensive record that season, letting in just 24 goals.
In the 2019/20 season, he once again featured in 29 games, helping the club to 15 clean sheets once again, with the Gers enjoying the joint-best defensive record in the Premiership. Furthermore, the 27-year-old has captained the team on a number of occasions this term, highlighting his importance to the side.
At 27, Goldson is in the peak years of his career. He has shown that he can be a leader of the defence during his time at Rangers. And with Leeds set to lose White at the end of the season, the Rangers man would help add more quality and depth to the squad.
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Verdict
Leeds United could be stretched thin in the centre-back department next season with Ben White’s loan deal expiring and Gaetano Berardi’s contract running out. Hence, bringing in a new centre-back should be a top priority for Marcelo Bielsa.
Goldson has been in top form since joining Rangers and if he is able to carry that form forward, he would prove to be a great signing. Furthermore, he would add some much-needed depth to the Whites’ centre-back department.
