Sky Sports pundit Keith Andrews hails ‘phenomenal’ Leeds United star Ben White

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United had a hard task replacing Pontus Jansson at the start of the season. The Sweden international left for Brentford in the summer. As reported by the Yorkshire Post, he was sold in a £5.5 million deal as Leeds looked to keep their FFP books balanced. 

When Leeds eventually did replace Jansson with Ben White, eyebrows were raised. 

But the Brighton loanee, who had previously had spells at Newport County and Peterborough United, has been a sensation at Elland Road. 

Indeed, that is the thought of Sky Sports EFL pundit Keith Andrews. 

The former Republic of Ireland international has had a few run-ins with Jansson in the past, so praising White at the Swede’s expense came easily. But, speaking on the Sky Sports EFL podcast,  he also had huge praise for the Leeds United loanee. 

“Absolute no-brainer. Pontus Jansson leaves. Now I have to say, I have had a couple of issues with Pontus Jansson over the years.  Ben White comes into the team and there’s a few eyebrows raised. Huge boots to fill in terms of a huge, charismatic figure, a cult hero at Leeds United. This lad’s only been on loan at a couple of lower league clubs. To say he settled like snow is an understatement. He has been phenomenal.”

He did have one criticism, with Andrews not a fan of White’s occasional forays into the midfield. But other than that, Andrews is clearly of the belief that White will be a Premier League star going forward, with or without Leeds United. 

“Don’t like him in central midfield, please stop playing him there when Kalvin Phillips is injured. Keep him at the back because he’s a Rolls-Royce. We’re going to see him at Premier League level, whether that’s at Leeds United or at Brighton. He’s a serious, serious player.”

Leeds United fans will just be hoping that in the next transfer window they can secure his permanent services. If not, a career in the Premier League elsewhere is certainly beckoning.