OPINION
Leeds’ forgotten man Toumani Diagouraga could be the unlikely answer to Thomas Christiansen’s prayers by returning to the Yorkshire giants’ first team in a different position.
Diagouraga, 30, is expected to leave Elland Road this summer after manager Christiansen completed moves for nine new first-team players including permanent deals for Pontus Jansson and Hadi Sacko, as well as signing a handful of younger stars.
But with only three first-team centre-backs on the books at Elland Road in Jansson, Liam Cooper and loanee Matthew Pennington, Leeds still need depth at the back.
Jansson, 26, is suspended for Leeds’ first two matches against Bolton on August 6 in the league before the Whites take on Port Vale in the League Cup, leaving just Pennington and Cooper as Christiansen’s options.
Frenchman Diagouraga is renowned for his powerful displays in the middle of the park, bustling opponents out of the way to retain possession of the football as well as boasting a strong presence in the air.
Indeed, the midfielder has been used at centre-back during pre-season by Christiansen, playing 45 minutes in both friendly wins against North Ferriby and Guiseley before Leeds’ trip to Austria.
Possessing the traits of your typical Championship centre-back, the former Brentford star’s strength and speed as well as composure on the ball would suit him well at the heart of Leeds’ defence.
With 12 months remaining on his current deal, the former Paris Saint-Germain youth player will be keen to show that he is deserving of a new contract and playing him in defence may give him the chance to do that.
That could see Spanish manager Christiansen convert Leeds’ number four into a central defender in order to revive his Elland Road career, in what could be the Whites’ secret weapon behind a promotion push.