Brighton loanee Ben White has been a standout success since he arrived at Leeds in the summer.
He was rewarded with the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year award for August on Wednesday and fans are equal parts delighted for him and scared that it will hamper their efforts to sign him on a permanent deal.
? | With 44% of the vote, congrats to @ben6white who has been named the @PFA Fans' Player of the Month for August pic.twitter.com/3Y2217Juoa
— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 4, 2019
The 29-year-old centre-back has played every game for Leeds since joining on loan and was one of the four top targets that manager Marcelo Bielsa wanted to bring in over the summer.
He’s hardly put a foot wrong for Leeds, looking calm and collected on the ball despite never having played as high as the Championship before.
He was the highest-rated player on the pitch on Saturday, in the 1-0 defeat to Swansea, according to WhoScored (7.8) and according to Leeds United StatZone, he made the most clearances and interceptions of any home player in the game.
? No #LUFC player made more clearances or interceptions than @ben6white against Swansea, with only @LiamCooper__ winning more aerial duels (6) than the summer signing. #EFL #MOT @TheRythreArms pic.twitter.com/8S8wxqvKOZ
— Leeds United StatZone (@lufcsz) September 2, 2019
Here are the best reactions from Leeds fans:
Don’t let Brighton see ffs ????
— Right In The Gary Kellys (@RITGK) September 4, 2019
We are only messing @OfficialBHAFC, he’s not good really so you should definitely get rid in January…
— Matt. (@MattJLufc) September 4, 2019
Scared Brighton are gonna recall him ????
— henry jardine (@henryjardine4) September 4, 2019
According to Football Insider, Leeds do not have an option to make his move permanent and some fans are worried that his value will be soaring after his recent performances.
That’s one of the perils of loan deals and fans will be hoping that Brighton don’t have a January recall clause. However, there’s a good argument to say that he’s developing very well as a player under Marcelo Bielsa and that his parent club will be happy for him to stay there for the full season.
One fan said, “Don’t let Brighton see ffs” but it’s too late for that, with one Brighton fan responding.
Leeds fans acting as if they can easily sign him at the end of the season even though we rejected a loan to buy
— charlie (@rapid_richards) September 4, 2019
This Leeds fan linked to a short clip of White playing it out from the back and called him a “classy, classy player”. His confidence on the ball shows why he’s adapted so well to playing under Bielsa.
https://t.co/Orb3ov8Xu6 classy classy player
— Barney © ??????? (@BarneyStuart21) September 4, 2019
Didn’t know what to expect before season but what a player well worthy winner been outstanding MOT.
— R.Cartwright ???????? (@rogercart57) September 4, 2019
Finally, this Leeds fan thinks that White’s market value will have “increased to £85m”, in reference to the huge sum of money that Man United paid for centre-back Harry Maguire over the summer.
White may not be quite there yet but he seems to have all the qualities you need to make it as a modern-day centre-back.
Market value increased to £85 million
— Sam LUFC (@vSamGrant) September 4, 2019