3 reasons why Leeds United should give Stuart Dallas a new contract

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Leeds United were beaten 1-0 by Swansea City during their last Championship outing – their first league defeat of the 2019/20 campaign.

The Whites had sat pretty at the top of the second tier but were knocked off by the Swans following their defeat.

One man who has been a mainstay in Marcelo Bielsa’s side is Northern Ireland performer Stuart Dallas.

The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of the campaign, with no offer forthcoming as of yet.

Dallas has told the Yorkshire Evening Post that a new deal is ‘in the club’s hands’ and that ‘he would love’ to stick at Elland Road beyond this season.

With his situation up in the air, we looked at three reasons why Leeds must do all they can to keep hold of Dallas:

Versatility

Dallas was signed by Uwe Rosler from Brentford for £1 million in 2015 (Yorkshire Evening Post).

The ex-Bees boss added him after impressing at Griffin Park as a natural winger. Indeed, 119 of his 152 Leeds appearances have come out on the left or right-hand side of the midfield, or on the wing.

Last season Bielsa chose to utilise him at left-back towards the end of the season; whilst he has started 2019/20 at right-back to cover for Luke Ayling’s injury.

Given that he has done a decent job wherever he has been asked to play he is unique to the Leeds ranks and on that basis, he should be kept around.

Fan adoration

Given that he is capable of doing a job in several positions and always shows the utmost determination to do well, the Leeds fans have really appreciated his true worth.

As a popular figure among such an ardent fanbase, Dallas departing would be seen as catastrophic.

Leeds fans saw Pontus Jansson and Kemar Roofe leave for pastures new during the summer. The Whites should avoid upsetting the supporters anymore and do all they can to get Dallas to stay beyond this season.

Small squad

Leeds aren’t blessed with a massive squad, especially when you consider that beyond this season several loan players will leave.

On that basis, boss Bielsa can ill-afford to lose another senior player during the summer of 2020.

At 28, Dallas can still play and his energetic style of play makes him an asset to Leeds at the moment.

Bielsa has proved his worth at Elland Road when it comes to utilising the club’s younger players and Dallas would be a tremendous role model for the next line of talent coming through the ranks.