OPINION
Leeds United took a huge positive step on Thursday morning by securing the future of Pablo Hernandez and he can play a key role move forward.
The Whites confirmed on their official website that the 33-year-old has penned a fresh two-year deal to extend his stay at Elland Road.
His contract was due to expire at the end of the season and supporters can now breathe a sigh or relief that he will be at the club next season.
Hernandez has been one of the better performers for the Yorkshire giants this campaign, scoring nine goals and supplying 10 assists in 42 games across all competitions.
Paul Heckingbottom’s squad needs some serious tinkering with in the summer, but it’s vital that the handful of quality players are kept as the nucleuss of the team.
Leeds have made a start with that by signing playmaker Hernandez and now need to do the same with defender Pontus Jansson.
The no-nonsense centre-back is one of the stars that can play a mammoth role in a potential promotion bid next season and they need to ensure he stays at all costs.
He is still under contract with the Championship outfit until 2022, but that is not going to stop clubs circling for his signature.
The Guardian’s deputy news editor Ed Aarons has reported on his personal Twitter account that Premier League side West Ham interested in signing Jansson in the summer.
West Ham are interested in signing Sweden defender Pontus Jansson from Leeds in the summer
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) April 10, 2018
It is far to say that Leeds would undo all the good work achieved with Hernandez if they went on to lose their senior defender.
Jansson is the heartbeat of the side when he is playing well and Heckingbottom should definitely build his defence around him going into the next campaign.