Leeds United should have kept hold of Paudie O’Connor this season

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Leeds United are currently top of the Championship after an excellent start to the new season under the guidance of new boss Marcelo Bielsa. The club also did some good business in the transfer market. But one area the club decided they did not need to improve was at centre-back.

This was despite the opinion among many fans that it was a weak area. But Bielsa clearly felt he had enough cover in the role. One of the players providing that cover is youngster Conor Shaughnessy.

Many Leeds fans expected the Irishman to head out on loan this summer. However, he remained at Leeds and featured against Preston in the League Cup recently.

But did Leeds keep the wrong young Irish centre-back?

Paudie O’Connor was sent out to Blackpool on loan in the summer. He has earned some solid reviews for his displays with the League One side and Leeds fans have surely taken notice.

Shaughnessy, on the other hand, did not impress in his appearance v Preston. Subbed off at half-time, he was run ragged by the Preston attack for 45 minutes before being mercilessly pulled from the action.

It certainly seems that O’Connor is the better defender on paper. Leeds might regret the centre-back they sent out on loan this summer.