Leeds United should bring back Joel Latibeaudiere this summer as centre-back solution – TBR View

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This summer Leeds United will need to be in the market for a new centre-back, with Ben White set to return to Brighton after his exceptional season at Elland Road.

It will not be an easy task for Leeds to replace White, but they might be able to do so with yet another relatively unknown name. 

Joel Latibeaudiere has just spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Dutch side FC Twente and has been speaking to the Manchester Evening News about his plans for next season. 

He made it clear that he would like to be playing regular football in 2020-21. 

“Just to get out there playing first-team football. Literally the whole team from that World Cup [under-17s] has gone on to play at a first-team club.

“That would definitely be the next step on my ladder for sure. Hopefully getting to somewhere like a Championship or another first division to keep playing my football.”

So why not Leeds?

First of all, Latibeaudiere is in fact a former Leeds player. The Doncaster born defender left Leeds aged 13 to join the academy at Manchester City.

Now, the 20-year-old has become one of England’s top defensive talents and was in the England team that beat Spain in the 2017 Under-17 World Cup. 

A strong, fast and technically gifted centre-back, capable of playing at left or right-back, the 20-year-old would fit the mold left behind by White in West Yorkshire. 

Leeds and director of football Victor Orta have good relations with his parent club, having brought Jack Harrison to the club for the past two seasons whilst Pep Guardiola would undoubtedly be happy to see his youngster working under the tutelage of Bielsa, a coach he respects greatly. 

It might not be the biggest name that Leeds could attract but plenty of fans were scratching their heads when Leeds snapped up White last summer. 

Latibeaudiere could have a similar impact.