Leeds fans have been loving life this week after a string of signings but some are becoming increasingly convinced that they’re going to lose Pontus Jansson.
The centre-back still hasn’t reported back for pre-season and while he was given extended leave for international duty, it seems there could be more going on behind the scenes.
Phil Hay posted an update on Thursday where he said Jansson was told to be back by July 12, a “Longer absence than everyone else after international appearances”.
He said it was an “odd situation” and that he would miss the pre-season tour to Australia.
Jansson’s been told to come back on July 12. Longer absence than everyone else after international appearances. It’s an odd situation and given the date of his return, he’ll miss the Australia tour
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 4, 2019
One of the incomings that Leeds announced this week was Brighton centre-back Ben White and it had been previously reported that Brighton wanted assurances that he would be getting first-team game time.
This is what the Leeds fans are saying about the Jansson situation:
Wonder why Jansson has been “banned” from training? ?? also not been in preseason? He must be out the door #lufc
— Danny ? (@Yorky2860) July 5, 2019
Absolutely ready for all the beef for being as cryptic as the rest but I've had the Jansson leaving stuff all but confirmed by a source that doesn't speak Swedish. Given sound info before and no reason to make it up. Goodbye Pontus, ta for your efforts. #lufc
— El Loco Doe (@ElLocoDoe) July 5, 2019
Pontus jansson is seriously irreplaceable I’m afraid. He carried cooper for a lot of last season And you won’t find his leadership his passion and his abilities anywhere else for 10 million. #lufc
— alaw (@weareleeds191) July 5, 2019
There are fans who echo this sentiment and see Jansson as irreplaceable but that seems to be an emotive response to losing a player who’s been a big part of the team since he joined from Torino in 2017. Fans love his passion but his stats were on a par with Cooper last season and WhoScored rated Cooper higher in the Championship last season.
Pontus Jansson is getting an extended rest because:
1: Sweden's Euro Qualifiers
2: He looked injured in all of our last 10 games. The lad 100% needs it. Malmo's training will be no where near as intensive as Bielsa's as we all know. He's getting eased back in #lufc— Lewis Armitstead/Endre Man (@LewArmitstead) July 4, 2019
Whys everyone whining about Jansson? 2 years ago him Okane and wood were given extended leave. Last season he was given an extended leave, it's nothing unusual it's happened for the last 2 pre seasons #lufc
— Luke (@LukeParsonsss) July 4, 2019
There are still fans who think that it’s all smoke and no fire, and that there’s a simple explanation for the Jansson pre-season no-show.
Hey @andrearadri can you give the fans an update as to why Pontus Jansson has been given more time off then anyone else.. #LUFC
— ROSSii (@MrROSSii1990) July 4, 2019
In this day and age you expect some sort of clarity on players leaving even with with the possibility anything can happen. The limbo is unfair especially with a situation like jansson where it could be easily cleared up @andrearadri @lufc #lufc #mot
— George Hancock (@G_HANCOCK93) July 4, 2019
Another fan makes a good point when he says that the club could move to quash any rumours with a simple statement about Jansson.
https://twitter.com/BenSmith_7/status/1146838761583644672
jansson will be gone and white will be a starter
— ?’ (@AIILeedsArentWe) July 3, 2019
IF it’s true about Jansson I geniunley don’t think you can blame Radz, by sounds of the rumours it’s Bielsa that wants him gone.
— BC (@BC_LUFC) July 2, 2019
Some fans have given up though and think they’ve seen the last of the talismanic centre-back, with one saying that White will be a starter next season.
Things should get clearer in the next two weeks. If Jansson isn’t involved in Australia and White starts at the back, it could be a sign for the season to come.