Leeds fans react as Patrick Bamford makes big Ben White claim

By Will Butcher

Patrick Bamford has told the official Leeds United podcast that Brighton’s Ben White would be an England player if he had completed a permanent move to Elland Road from the south coast club last summer – and Leeds fans have reacted on Twitter.

White, 23, was crucial to Leeds last season. Signed after Pontus Jansson had been surprisingly sold to Brentford, White was lured to Elland Road on loan for the 2019-20 season as the Swede’s replacement – and was pretty much an unknown.

The defender clocked up 49 appearances in all competitions for Leeds, playing every single one of the club’s matches during 2019-20. So, Leeds made numerous bids to bring him to the club permanently – but he has since remained at Brighton.

(Photo by Matt Dunham – Pool/Getty Images)

Bamford said: “I’ve Whatsapped him a little bit. He’s enjoying it back there, it’s where he is from and he is back with his family and friends. If he would have stayed at Leeds, he would probably be in the England squad. It’s one of them.”

White has attracted interest throughout the season at Brighton, as he shines in his first season in the Premier League. A move to Leeds now looks unlikely, with Bielsa’s side now boasting Liam Cooper, Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk.

But Bamford’s claim is an intriguing one. During his time at Leeds, there were suggestions that he was a future England defender – but since returning to Brighton, that talk has died down. Leeds fans reacted to Bamford’s comments on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/Kokothecat2/status/1387749378669035523