The Peacocks have been impressive this term under Garry Monk and could find themselves in the Premier League for the first time in over a decade next term as a result.
However, they could lose one of their best players in Charlie Taylor, with the left-back keen on moving on to a bigger side having submitted a transfer request last summer.
The 23-year-old was also linked with a January transfer switch but the club stood its ground and refused to entertain offers for him.
However, they would lose him for free at the end of the season if he decides to call time on his Leeds United career which has seen him become one of the best homegrown talents to have emerged from within the Whites’ ranks.
Taylor remains one of Championship’s best fullbacks and the club should do everything they can to keep him at the club next season.
Here are 3 reasons why:
He is a solid all-round and modern day fullback
Taylor has grown immensely through the years, establishing himself not just only as a great defensive stalwart but also one capable of adding a lot to the attack from his flank.
There are very few fullbacks across Europe who combine these defensive and offensive qualities to a tee, and it’s why Leeds must do all they can to hold on to this precious gem of theirs for the foreseeable future.
Berardi has filled in for the youngster at the back since he picked up a knock last year, but just doesn’t come close in offering the same all-round usefulness the team enjoys with the English defender available, as the Swiss lacks the attacking threat Taylor brings to the table.
Fullbacks of his makeup are rare, and Leeds have indeed got a lot of work on their hands with juicy offers bound to come for their star player in the summer.
Would prove crucial in a Premier League or Championship campaign next term
Whatever happens to Leeds’ promotion ambitions at the end of the campaign, Taylor will come even very handy for them next season.
If they make it to the EPL, they need players like Taylor, who has long been deemed as a top-flight quality to help them retain their status at the end of the season.
He already played a huge part in ensuring they retained a spot in the playoff zone before 2016 ended, and would be an integral part to ensure their safety.
Peradventure they fail to get promoted, Leeds can even gear up to win automatic promotion next season as they prepare to win the Championship.
To do that, players of Taylor’s calibre all across the pitch are needed, and they just can’t afford to lose their man – at least for the next season.
No quality replacement for him available at a “smaller” club
The only left-back(s) better than Taylor can’t be found in the Championship, and Leeds would have to look at the top flight leagues across Europe to get one able to provide the type of services the 23-year-old brings to the team.
None will be keen to step down to the Championship or play for a newly-promoted club, so the search for a like-for-like replacement for this hot property will be very tedious.
It’s definitely one of the reasons the club keeps blocking his transfer as finding the player to fill his shoes has just been impossible a task.
Leeds have to keep holding on to him when they can still do, but only Premier League football will most likely convince this man to stay beyond 1 or 2 more seasons, so they just have to get promoted if they are to retain Charlie Taylor’s services.