OPINION
The senior chiefs at Leeds United should be thankful that they have such a strong youth set up – for their plight of last season could have been so much worse.
The Whites underwent a mass overhaul of the playing squad with a significant number of exits replaced by new recruits, but there were very few signings who actually managed to live up to the expectation set on their shoulders.
Samu Saiz and Ezgjan Alioski are two of the few who can hold their heads held high, while the likes of Felix Wiedwald, Andy Lonergan, Jay Roy Grot and Pawel Cibicki should be left looking at their feet pretty sheepishly after their unimpressive performances.
It was such a disappointing showing from the new men at Elland Road that Paul Heckingbottom ended up relying on youth graduates to step in and fulfil their duties in the senior side, and credit where credit is due, they did so more than adequately.
With the goalkeeping situation a horror show until Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s emergence, it should come as no surprise that Heckingbottom is reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post to be eyeing up a new shot stopper – and he could well have the answer in the form of a former Leeds star.
Ex-England keeper Rob Green left Elland Road 12 months ago to join Huddersfield Town after his contract expired, but he did not make a single appearance for the Terriers before they confirmed his exit from the club this summer.
While at 38-years-old he is reaching the end of his career, a shock move back to Elland Road could be the start of success between the sticks for years to come.
With Peacock-Farrell now deemed the long term shot stopper, he will need as much guidance and wisdom as possible – and where better to pick that up from a man who has been around the block as much as Green?
Giving the veteran, who stands on the verge of a giant 6’3″, a player-coach opportunity means he will still get some senior action, but also be the man to guide the young goalkeepers through a key stage of their development – a win-win scenario.