Branimir Kalaica has been in sensational form for Benfica B this season (Getty Images)
According to Football Insider (h/t Leeds Live), Leeds United are interested in Benfica defender Branimir Kalaica.
The 22-year-old Kalaica currently plies his trade with Benfica’s B side and has been regular in the side following his move from Dinamo Zagreb youth academy back in 2016.
The Croatian, however, has played just once for Benfica’s senior side, which is already filled with talented centre-backs including Ruben Dias. Kalaica featured 16 times for their B side in the league and had kept five clean sheets before coronavirus stopped play.
To date, he has made 87 appearances across all competitions for Benfica’s B side and has three goals and one assist under his belt.
Leeds are currently atop the league table, thanks to a splendid defensive partnership involving young Ben White and captain Liam Cooper. They have the best defensive record in the league, having conceded a mere 34 goals from 43 matches.
Having had a successful campaign so far, Leeds are most likely to earn Premier League promotion. However, the side needs more reinforcements to stay in the top-flight. One of Leeds’s top performers this season, White is currently on a season-long loan from Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion and is expected to return to his parent club at the end of this season.
This puts them in a precarious state, as they just have Cooper and veteran Gaetano Berardi apart from White. The Swiss defender is already 31 and has, for the most part of this season, been a back-up option.
Cooper, White, and Berardi are the side’s established defenders while they also have youngsters Pascal Struijk and Oliver Casey. However, the duo lacks big-game experience and have played just three league matches altogether, meaning Leeds are clearly in need of new and experienced face at the back.
Considering all this, a move for Kalaica seems like a step in the right direction by Leeds, especially if they get promoted to the Premier League next season.
Leeds’ dearth of established centre-backs is clearly evident and Kalaica, who has already proved himself as a key player for Benfica’s B side in the last couple of years, would be a good option. His addition will offer Bielsa more options next season if they earn Premier League promotion. Hence, they should go ahead with this deal and land him at Elland Road as soon as possible.
