OPINION
There is no doubt that Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson has been at the heart of the team’s success this season.
The mainstay has made a staggering 32 appearances for the Whites in the centre of their defence this term, and it is hard to envision the back four being as steady as it is without him there.
Well, that may come a reality after the 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United on Saturday. The 28-year-old suffered a knee injury during the clash, and the Yorkshire Evening Post have reported that the club are assessing the fitness of the Swede as a result.
Many Leeds fans will surely be biting their nails at the prospect of losing one of their best players to injury – especially in the season run-in. Their automatic promotion hopes are hanging by a thread now that the Blades have pushed them into third place.
This will leave Marcelo Bielsa with a few defensive worries if he does end up being sidelined, particularly with the next few games being so important to their future. The manager may have Gaetano Berardi in reserve, but to be honest, this would be a very last resort. The Whites need Jansson fit – it is as simple as that really.
It is hard to know how Leeds would cope without him, as there has hardly been a time where he has been missing from the team. Fingers crossed that it is nothing too serious, otherwise their promotion hopes will surely go up in smoke.
Then again, he could be completely fine. The prospect of losing Jansson to injury is only a worry due to the fact that Leeds have never had to cope without him before.
Either way, the entire Leeds fanbase are surely going to bite their nails in the mean time.