Leeds United fans will “quickly forget” about how left-back Charlie Taylor previously left the club, if the Burnley full-back rejoined the Whites this summer.
That is according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who was speaking to This is Futbol about the Premier League side’s potential transfer business, heading into the final few weeks of the transfer window.
According to The Sun’s Alan Nixon, Burnley manager Vincent Kompany is willing to let some of his more experienced players leave the club this summer, with Taylor being one of those names.
The reporter also goes on to state that one of the clubs potentially looking at a swoop for the 28-year-old, who had previously been dubbed as an “outstanding talent” by former Whites manager Steve Evans, are his former employers Leeds United.
And O’Rourke believes that Leeds fans will forget the way Taylor previously left Elland Road, if he was to hit the ground running for Jesse Marsch’s side on his return.
“Obviously he left Leeds under a bit of a cloud, having come through the ranks there.
“But I’m sure the fans will quickly forget if Charlie Taylor came in and made an immediate impact in that Leeds team.
“He’s got lots of Premier League experience now from his time at Burnley as well.”
TIF Thoughts on O’Rourke’s comments
We believe that whilst Taylor’s performances would dictate the way Leeds fans felt about him, we believe that it will take a while for the Elland Road faithful to regard the left-back as one of them again.
Garry Monk, who was the Whites manager at the time of Taylor’s departure, fined the York-born full-back two weeks wages, after the left-back refused to play for the club in a fixture at Wigan Athletic amid Premier League interest.
Therefore, we believe that it may take some time for Leeds fans to forgive Taylor, for his untimely departure in 2017.
I Will never forgive or forget the disrespect Charlie Taylor showed by refusing to play while under contract at Leeds in 2017, as far as I am concerned I never want to see that ratbag ever wearing a Leeds shirt again.
Charlie Taylor did exactly the right thing when he left Leeds and declined to play in a meaningless end of season match. He had his future to consider. An injury could have been disastrous for his future career. At the time the club was owned and mis-managed by an Italian who would never have got Leeds promoted from the Championship so a move to Premier League Burnley was a good move for Charlie. Any sane person would have taken the same action. I would welcome him back with open arms.
Many Leeds fans will remember his actions all those years ago. However, whatever his reasons for his behaviour we can forgive and move on. If he was to join Leeds, he would have a point to prove so should be expected to give his all with appropriate humility and respect for the club, fans, and himself.