Charlie Taylor must dread potential Leeds United promotion as he embarks on relegation battle

Add as preferred source on Google

When Charlie Taylor left Leeds United in the summer of 2017 not many blamed him. Whilst most were rightly disappointed with the way in which he forced the exit, it seemed to make sense.

Leeds had only just been taken over by Andrea Radrizzani, ending the tumultuous reign of Massimo Cellino at Elland Road. Working under a constant change of managers for a side that looked like promotion nearly-men for the foreseeable future rightly did not appeal to the young talent.

With his contract expiring and Leeds failing to reach the playoffs, the defender refused to play the final game of the 2016-17 season, according to then-manager Garry Monk.

“There’s no sugar-coating this – Charlie refused to play the game. I think he’s been terribly advised…I think he’s been poorly advised all season.

“We’ve tried to guide him and help him. He’s a young lad, a good lad, but he’s a bit naive. To refuse to play the game, for me as a manager and for the club, that’s unacceptable.”

– Garry Monk on Charlie Taylor

That was ill-advised. Leeds fans are unlikely to forgive the manner of the exit, even if it was the right move.

Taylor deserved a crack at Premier League football and he signed a deal at Burnley, with Leeds receiving a reported £5 million in compensation.

However, 18 months after his exit, times have changed.

Radrizzani has a vision at Leeds and Marcelo Bielsa was an inspired appointment in the summer. Leeds are hunting promotion to the Premier League. They are threatening to break away from the pack along with Norwich City.

Burnley, meanwhile, could swap places with one of them. After their impressive and comfortable season last term, the Clarets are struggling this time around.

Burnley currently sit 17th in the table, just three points off the bottom. They are clearly in a relegation fight this season. Should Leeds go up and Burnley come down, Taylor will be wondering if he should have stuck around to see what the Radrizzani project had in store.