Leeds picked up another three points on Saturday, beating Stoke 3-0 to stay at the top of the Championship.
It was a hugely impressive display again from Marcelo Bielsa’s men, who haven’t been behind to any team for a single minute yet this season.
Leeds have scored 10 goals in five games and only conceded two, which gives them the best defensive record in the Championship – and plenty of fans think new centre-back Ben White is behind this.
He has been absolutely brilliant since he signed from Brighton on loan and put in another man-of-the-match-worthy display at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday.
According to LUFCDATA, he had a 90% pass accuracy, made 11 ball recoveries (joint-most), won the most tackles of any player on the pitch (five) and made the most headed clearances (four) and interceptions (three).
Plenty of Leeds fans took to Twitter to hail a new Elland Road hero after the Stoke game – here are the best reactions to his display:
Virgil Van Dyk has posters of Ben White on his bedroom walls…pass it on @TheSquareBall #LUFC
— Dom (@Dom_LUFC89) August 24, 2019
It might be a stretch to compare White to Virgil van Dijk, arguably the best centre-back in the world, but the Leeds defender shows the same calm on the ball as the Liverpool star. He always seems to have more time than other players and he makes things look really easy.
The video clip below shows why he fits in so well with Marcelo Bielsa’s style of play that necessitates every player being confident on the ball, even under pressure.
https://twitter.com/LUFC_Goals/status/1165282632139071488
https://twitter.com/aidannLUFC/status/1165620711538470914
Anyone else remember fans saying Ben White would only be a back up player this season ? this kid will be playing in the PL next season for Brighton or another 100% #lufc pic.twitter.com/AZYH51RWbc
— Kershaw ?? (@Kershaw444) August 25, 2019
Costa we knew about & Nketia was talked about as the next big thing at the Arsenal but its Bielsa identifying White as an upgrade on Jansonn which has me purring…
It takes a genius coach to see an untested rookie CB as a replacement for a seasoned international.#Lufc— Ayub Patel (@AyubPatel123) August 25, 2019
As one fan pointed out, supporters weren’t sure whether White had been signed as back-up or to play regularly in the first-team.
That was a fair assessment as White hadn’t played higher than League One before he arrived at Leeds.
However, he’s taken to the Championship like a duck to water and who would argue that he couldn’t step up and play in the Premier League next season?
One fan pointed out that “it’s Bielsa identifying White as an upgrade on Jansson which has me purring… It takes a genius coach to see an untested rookie CB as a replacement for a seasoned international.”
#lufc Ben White buy this kid what every the cost ..
— ShaneHarding (@kingbod1) August 25, 2019
Ben White is an absolute animal at the heart of the @LUFC back line. He’s never played above league 1 they said. What about Pontus they said. He won’t be able to hand the championship they said. I say the championship can’t handle Ben White! #MOT #LUFC #ALAW
— Glenn Jowett (@RevitST) August 25, 2019
@GrahamSmyth with Ben White playing so well I suppose Brighton will recall him in January? Especially when they are playing with 3 CB's at the moment? #LUFC
— Timmy McIntyre (@timmy_mcintyre) August 25, 2019
Do Brighton have a recall clause for Ben White? If they do, that would be a huge concern, and Leeds fans will be hoping that their club negotiated a full season-long loan. There’s always a danger with loanees and especially ones who start making the headlines.
What has impressed me is how well Ben White reads a game.Seems to know when to challenge or step in to intercept or to hold position. Can pass & is calm on the ball.Has all the makings of a top class CB. Shame he is a loanee but would love us to change that when we can #lufc #MOT
— Marc F ??? (@billywigwam13) August 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/LUFC_Dale63/status/1165545238770978816