Leeds fans want Burnley defender back at Elland Road after stunning Monday display

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The January transfer window is approaching and it is quickly becoming a crucial month for Leeds United. A lack of options in defence, due to numerous injuries, could convince Victor Orta to become active – certainly, Leeds fans want their club to be busy.

Liam Cooper hobbled off at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. The captain is now the third centre-back on the injury list along with Robin Koch and Diego Llorente. It leaves Luke Ayling and Pascal Struijk in the middle of the defence.

Against a Burnley side on Sunday, they are going to be in for a tough challenge – coming up against Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes, who put Wolves to the sword on Monday night. A centre-back is needed, but perhaps another option at left-back, too.

Gjanni Alioski has been somewhat inconsistent this season. Impressing against Everton and Manchester City, the Macedonia international has since struggled – really failing to cope with Manchester United’s attack on Sunday.

Stuart Dallas continues to be the club’s utility player, filling holes in midfield, at right-back out wide or at left-back. Alioski fills in for Dallas when the Northern Irish star is being used in another position. But do Leeds need more competition?

Certainly, Leeds fans think so – after watching Burnley’s 2-1 win over Wolves. While centre-back is the most-needed position, a new left-back would not go amiss either. Sky Sports awarded former Leeds star Charlie Taylor the Man of the Match award.

Taylor, 27, left Leeds in the summer of 2017 to join Burnley after breaking into the Whites first team, making over 100 appearances for the Whites. He joined Burnley for £5million (Mail), and has since played 101 times – becoming first choice.

On Monday, he was sensational. Equally as strong in defence as he is in attack, Taylor laid on a brilliant assist for Burnley’s first goal – standing the ball up after reaching the byline for Barnes to head home. It was a beautiful cross from Taylor.

But that was not his best contribution of the night. Indeed, Taylor was pivotal in stopping the likes of Daniel Podence and Pedro Neto – who have come in for plenty of plaudits this season. Even when powerhouse Adama Traore came on, Taylor stopped him.

Defensively and offensively, Taylor was excellent. His assist was inch-perfect, but clearly he has learnt an enormous amount under the guidance of defensive-minded manager Sean Dyche – proving solid throughout, without making a single error.

Leeds could do a lot worse than sign Taylor. Bringing the York-born defender back to Elland Road – who was in the same era as the likes of Sam Byram, Alex Mowatt, Kalvin Phillips, Lewis Cook and more – would instantly solve the left-back issue.

Alioski’s contract remains a doubt, while Dallas continuees to excel elsewhere – scoring two goals in his last two games. Leeds fans have reacted on Twitter to Taylor’s display for Burnley, and many Whites supporters want him back at Elland Road.

Certainly, he will be on Sunday, when Burnley visit Leeds.

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