Lewis O'Brien: the long-term transfer target who could finally offer Leeds United what they need - YEP 30/5/22

-


Leeds United links to Lewis O'Brien have re-emerged after the Huddersfield Town midfielder impressed in the Championship this season.

By Flora Snelson

After the Whites came close to closing a deal for O'Brien last summer, Leeds' chances of Town accepting a fresh bid for the talented player were set to be upset by the South Yorkshire side's promotion bid.

But with the Terriers falling six points shy of an automatic promotion spot and falling to a 1-0 defeat in the Championship Play-Off final to Nottingham Forest, United will find it much easier to prise O'Brien from the second-tier club should they choose to continue their pursuit.

Who is he?

Born in Colchester, O'Brien began his football career at the Huddersfield Town Academy where he has played ever since, though he earned 40 appearances on loan at Bradford City in the 2018/2019 season.

Where does he play?

A versatile midfielder by trade, O'Brien best suits a number eight role but can also play as a number 11, a number 10 and a number 7. He also succeeds in wide areas as a full-back or wing-back.

Why do Leeds United want him?

O'Brien is widely considered a sparkling all-rounder with strength in every aspect of his game. Foremost of these is a fantastic engine which has helped to power Town to an impressive 50% Championship win rate this season.

With four full EFL seasons under his belt, the 23-year-old boasts experience and has taken on the armband for the John Smith's Stadium outfit a number of times.

He is said to be a conscientious football player, with Town boss Carlos Corberan having praised O'Brien's humility and 'limitless' potential.

The midfielder's training under Corberan, who was previously on the staff of former United boss Marcelo Bielsa, is a significant draw for the Leeds as O'Brien would slot neatly into a Whites squad which still bears attribute of the Argentine's style of play.

Where would O'Brien fit in at Elland Road?

For many months, central midfield has been an area of worry for Leeds United, and the concern could deepen this summer with the potential departure of Kalvin Phillips.

After some spectacular Adam Forshaw performances this season, Whites chairman Andrea Radrizzani looked to have been vindicated by his suggestion that the midfielder's return from injury would feel like a new signing but the Liverpudlian's fractured kneecap has sown fresh doubt as to the player's continual ongoing fitness.

Meanwhile, Mateusz Klich hasn't looked entirely convincing under the Jesse Marsch regime and the responsibility a full Premier League season seems a little much to put on the shoulders of 19-year-old Lewis Bate, for all the promise he showed for the senior team in the latter stages of the season.

If United can succeed in bagging a talented Championship centre-mid for a reasonable fee then it'll be a significant weight off the minds of the Elland Road faithful.

Popular posts from this blog

The huge initial fee Leeds are set to receive for Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham — Leeds United News 31/7/24

-
Will Butcher West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, and Ben Jacobs has shared how much Leeds will receive for the Dutchman. The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with the Elland Road exit door all summer and was targeted as the one big sale Leeds needed to make before the Profit & Sustainability Rules deadline this month. But instead, Leeds sold Archie Gray for £40m to Tottenham. Leeds have since sold five more players in the form of Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Kris Klaesson and Charlie Cresswell – raking in around £60m in total. But more exits were always likely and Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday afternoon that West Ham had agreed personal terms with Summerville, and talks for a fee were ongoing with the Yorkshire side. Now, the story has moved on with multiple sources claiming a deal is done between Leeds and Angus Kinnear’s old club. The Dutchman is expected to sign a five-year at the London Stadium, until Jun...
Read more

Leeds United board break silence after transfer window with statement on upcoming Elland Road development — YEP 2/9/24

-
By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have confirmed supporters' commemorative stones at Elland Road's Centenary Square will be replaced free of charge in a bid to improve their longevity. Beginning next month, Leeds supporters' personalised stones will be replaced with exact replicas, courtesy of a new company, to ensure of a 'much better quality' installation. The work is expected to take around two months to complete. An official club statement confirmed 'three larger stones dedicated to former managers Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa' will also be installed, 'similar to those located in Bremner Square', while additional space for supporters to purchase new stones has also been factored into the project. “The club have taken on board recent feedback from supporters on the stones at Centenary Square, and we are really happy that we can now announce that all of the stones will be replaced," chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed,...
Read more

Leeds United transfer state of play as Whites knock back low bid and assert wing pair stance — YEP 3/7/24

-
By Graham Smyth Leeds United are not actively looking to cash in on Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto and believe any further outgoing transfer business will be done on their terms. The Whites, who sold Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday for £40m, expect that there will be continued interest in wing pair Summerville and Gnonto as the summer transfer window progresses. Summerville has been a target for Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion but their interest has not yet materialised into a bid. The Albion did, however, send a £30m proposal for Georginio Rutter, which Elland Road chiefs rejected. Rutter is not expected to try and force an exit this summer and appears settled at Leeds after a far more positive second season in English football. The sale of Gray has helped put Leeds into a position where they do not need to sell star players and can dictate any moves that do happen. Club sources say they are not actively looking to sell the likes of Summerville o...
Read more