OPINION
Ever since Rangers captain Lee Wallace suffered a nasty groin injury in a 2-2 draw with Partick Thistle on the 15th of September, Declan John has staked his claim as one of the Light Blues’ best players so far this season.
The young left-back, 22, signed for the Gers at the end of August on a loan deal from Cardiff City, with the twice-capped Welsh international told in no uncertain terms he would not see much game time under Neil Warnock.
Brought in to provide competition for Wallace, John has actually exceeded expectations at Ibrox this year, filling in so well for the skipper that he faces a fight to actually get back in the team.
John has now played 10 Premiership games for Rangers, chipping in impressively with two goals and two assists from the left-side of defence.
Wallace’s absence has been virtually unnoticeable, with the youngster showing maturity beyond his years in stepping up so well in the circumstances.
Now however, there is a scrap on for his signature, and Leeds must be the ones to come out on top if they are to maintain their challenge for promotion to the Premier League.
As reported by Football Insider, Rangers face a fight to keep John in January as the Whites and Reading eye up a deal for the 22-year-old, with parent club Cardiff potentially keen to cash in ahead of the player’s contract running out in the summer.
The Royals became interested in a deal for John after regular left-back Jordan Obita sustained a serious injury, with Omar Richards now the only recognised left-back in the squad.
Leeds have problems of their own on the left-side of defence, with Gaetano Berardi failing to consistently impress and Vurnon Anita also filling in when need be. Cameron Borthwick-Jackson is another option but he is lacking in fitness after injury.
While Berardi, 29, has shown glimpses of his quality this season, the left-wing has often been a source of frailty for the Whites, and they must shore up their defence to have any chance of promotion.
They currently possess the joint second-worst defensive record in the top-half of the Championship, and if they are to maintain their push for the play-offs then they cannot afford to ship goals at such a rate.
John offers defensive solidity, while also possessing a dangerous left-boot and decent pace that sees him offer a threat in attack.
Berardi is yet to score or provide an assist this season in all competitions, despite playing three more league games than John.
Anita has the same dire record having played 10 league games, the same amount as the 22-year-old defender.
The Whites cannot afford to carry players like these who do not help in attack, while also not particularly impressing defensively.
John is a young prospect who is showing he can perform on the big stage, and would represent a stunning addition to the Leeds squad, not just for now but also for the future.
With just six months left on his contract, Leeds should be able to secure a deal for John for a relatively low fee, and one that should have a significant return.
Thomas Christiansen must not sit on his laurels and hope that his current options come good, he must move for John or Leeds could see another season in the Championship pass them by with no tangible reward.