According to Ben Jacobs of Give Me Sport, Leeds United were active in their pursuit of Burnley’s Charlie Taylor and Sheffield United’s summer signing Luke Thomas.
However, the Whites were unable to complete a deal for either player in the summer, owing to the Clarets’ limited number of left-back choices and the Blades’ ability to provide something that Leeds couldn’t: Premier League football.
Following the end of his loan term at Turf Moor, Ian Maatsen appeared set to return, but a permanent move never materialised, as Vincent Kompany’s side failed to sign a natural left-back during the summer.
In the end, that may have been the main reason why the Whites were unable to reach an agreement to bring their former defender back to Elland Road.
Meanwhile, Thomas had been locked out at Leicester City, with Callum Doyle and James Justin able to play on the left flank.
Sheffield United were probably in need of fixing their left wing-back position before recruiting Thomas because Enda Stevens had left the club, Rhys Norrington-Davies has been out injured with a significant setback, and Max Lowe has a poor injury record.
What is the current condition of play at Leeds United’s left-back position?
Sam Byram, Junior Firpo, and Leo Hjelde can all play left-back, but Byram’s injury record is questionable, Firpo has been out injured and isn’t the most popular figure at Elland Road, and Hjelde is inexperienced and was linked with a move away from West Yorkshire last summer.
With this, the Whites were and remain interested in tackling this area, albeit they will have to rely on the free agent market until the winter window opens in January.
uke Ayling or Djed Spence could both play on the left this season, with both looking for regular first-team action, but Daniel Farke may prefer a more natural option in this position.
Ben Jacobs commented on Leeds United’s pursuit of Charlie Taylor and Luke Thomas.
Leeds were looking for a left-back and chose Taylor, who played mostly as a centre-back last season but is a natural left-back. Meanwhile, Thomas is a left-back who can also play as a wing-back.
“Their two main options in the final days and weeks of the window were Luke Thomas at Leicester – multiple approaches were made but Leicester had no desire to loan to a Championship rival, so he ended up going to Sheffield United,” Jacobs said of the Whites’ pursuit of the pair.
“And Charlie Taylor at Burnley could have returned to Leeds as well, but neither club was interested.”
“So Leeds tried; they were quite aggressive in their approach, especially for Thomas, because they were aware of the urgency.” But they just couldn’t get the deal done.”
Will Charlie Taylor or Luke Thomas be disappointed that they did not join Leeds United?
As long as Thomas is a regular starter at Bramall Lane, he won’t be resentful of his decision to join the Blades since he will be able to function at a better level.
Of course, he would have had the opportunity to contend for promotion at Elland Road, but he would want to be operating at the greatest level, which is why a move to South Yorkshire has to be viewed positively.
Taylor will almost certainly want to return to Elland Road at some stage.
However, with Burnley having a limited number of left-back alternatives, Taylor could see regular playing time at Turf Moor this season.
If he does, it will be a good, and he would probably prefer to play in the Premier League to playing for Leeds right now.
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