Leeds United were able to snap up the summer signing of Barry Douglas from Wolves after the Premier League side held doubts over his defensive ability and not because of any misbehaviour, according to journalist Tim Nash.
The former Wolves correspondent for the Express and Star claims on his personal Twitter account that Nuno Esperito Santo was not certain that 28-year-old would be able to carry out his role at the back as successfully as other options, rubbishing reports suggesting a bad attitude or a bust up with the manager.
To rewind, there was no fall-out with Barry Douglas before he departed for @LUFC. Heard the rumours about being late for training and a bust-up with @Nuno, but told they're untrue. It was simply that there were doubts about the defensive side of his game in the PL.
— Tim Nash (@TimNash_1) August 10, 2018
Leeds secured the Scottish international’s capture after seeing him top the assist charts for Wolves on the way to their Championship title win.
Opinion
While hearing that there were no issues with Douglas’ attitude which led to his exit from Molineux, the fact Wolves were willing to let him go because of his defensive capabilities is not exactly what Marcelo Bielsa wants to be reading. On paper the Scot was an absolute machine down the left flank, chipping in with an astonishing number of assists for a left back, and perhaps it is that adventurous nature, which sees him maraud forward in a bid to help with the attacking threat of his side, which concerned them heading into the Premier League. Being out of position is hardly excusable, but the difference in quality between the Championship and the top flight means that he was less likely to be punished on the way to the second tier title than on Wolves’ return to England’s elite. It is up to Bielsa to decide whether he continues to let Douglas rampage up and down the left flank, or whether he needs to temper the defender’s desire to bomb forward and keep him resolute at the back.