Patrick Bamford makes big claim about Ben White, if he had joined Leeds United

Add as preferred source on Google

Patrick Bamford has told the official Leeds United podcast that if Ben White had joined the club on a permanent basis from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer, then the defender would have broken into the England side this season.

White, 23, joined Leeds on loan during the 2019-20 campaign in which the Whites gained promotion to the Premier League. He played every single one of the club’s 49 league and cup appearances for the Yorkshire side, but Leeds failed to sign him.

The uncapped Englishman was the subject of three bids from Leeds – as per Sky Sports – but the Whites were rejected for all three, even though the latter was worth £25million. He has since played 31 of Brighton’s 33 Premier League games this term.

Leeds striker Bamford has claimed that had White joined Leeds on a permanent basis a year ago – the versatile defender would have broken into the England set-up and might have even had a chance of being part of the side that goes to Euro 2020.

“The fact that Ben is back there makes it a little bit more interesting,” Bamford told the Leeds podcast. “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.

“But when you get on the pitch, there are no friends. If he would have stayed at Leeds, he would probably be in the England squad. It’s one of them,” to which Beckford replied: “Definitely”.

TBR’s view – Do Leeds need White now?

No. Unfortunately for White – if he still has any aspirations of joining Leeds – the Whites no longer need a centre-back. Pascal Struijk, Diego Llorente, Liam Cooper and Robin Koch remains as options, and have all impressed at stages this term.

Leeds, instead, will be looking at a left-back and a central midfielder. White has more chance of joining a club like Liverpool or Arsenal – but the chances are that he will remain at Brighton for next season. Brighton rate him at £40million (TalkSPORT).