Leeds United are looking at Blackburn Rovers centre-back Darragh Lenihan along with other Premier League clubs with the 27-year-old out of contract at the end of this season.
The Republic of Ireland international has two goals and an assist to his name this season for Rovers in the Championship, featuring 28 times for Tony Mowbray’s side.
He has been instrumental to Blackburn’s dream season so far, sitting in the automatic promotion places as things stand as Premier League football edges closer to a return to Ewood Park.
Do you expect Robin Koch to succeed at Leeds United?Yes
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Robin Koch’s Elland Road career over?
Could the arrival of Lenihan signal the end for Robin Koch at Leeds? Reports have previously suggested that Marcelo Bielsa isn’t the biggest fan of him, with suggestions that the German is ‘too soft’ and that he isn’t a fan of ‘aerial challenges’ according to Football Insider.
If a new central defender does come in, then Koch’s place at Leeds could seriously be under threat. He only has six games under his belt this season due to a long-term injury, but he has been deployed in midfield more than at the back.
The fact he is being used as a six more than in the backline suggest Bielsa seriously wants to strengthen in defence and still doesn’t trust the £50k-a-week earning Koch. Should Lenihan join the Whites, then Koch may be pushed to be a squad player behind the other defenders and Kalvin Phillips in the middle.
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Charlie Cresswell chances ruined?
The arrival of Lenihan would likely limit the chances for 19-year-old starlet Charlie Cresswell. The young central defender has been around the first team this season, getting four Premier League appearances under his belt, albeit the last three providing less than five minutes combined.
Cresswell is highly-rated in England, with a report in November claiming how he was already impressing the Argentine manager despite being a teenager still.
The teenager himself has said he is eager to make his mark at Elland Road, saying: “I’m confident, I’m a leader, I like to play and I like to head it! There’s lots of players in the first team that I look up to, the likes of Coops, Bill, they lead by example and that is what I want to try and follow.”
It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Cresswell should defensive reinforcements be brought in. Would he go on loan for regular first team football or get experience in the academy?
In other news, implications of Brennan Johnson potential move to LUFC