Leeds United Opinion: Why Alfie Mawson would be a good fit for the Whites?

Back in 2016, a report from the Daily Star claimed that Leeds United were interested in signing Alfie Mawson, who was then playing for Barnsley. The Whites were on the lookout for a new defender and the former Brentford youngster was at the top of their list.

However, a move didn’t materialise and Alfie Mawson signed for Swansea City after just one season at Barnsley in 2015/16.

Mawson, 25, joined Fulham following Swansea City’s relegation last summer but endured an injury-hit Premier League campaign.

He was part of the Cottagers backline that conceded the most number of goals in the top-flight, with the club suffering relegation alongside Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City.

With Fulham getting relegated, Leeds United must reignite their interest in Mawson and test the Cottagers’ resolve with a cheeky bid.

Leeds United’s preparations for the upcoming season has been dealt with a blow as defender Luke Ayling has undergone surgery to his ankle and will miss the start of the 2019/20.

The injury is not long-term and that while Ayling’s exact return date is unknown it is estimated he will miss the first few games of the season. In addition to that, Marcelo Bielsa’s side have already lost Pontus Jansson to Brentford earlier this month.

Jansson was a mainstay in the Leeds side under Bielsa the last term and his departure has left a big gap at the back.

The Yorkshire giants are in desperate need for defensive reinforcements as Gaetano Berardi, Liam Cooper and loanee Ben White are the only other options in their senior squad. That is hardly good enough for a team that wants to achieve promotion to the top-flight next term.

Thus, Leeds must go all out to sign Alfie Mawson. The 25-year-old is an assured defender who performed decently for Fulham in an otherwise disastrous season in the Premier League.

He has solid Championship experience, meaning the Englishman could make a top back-up option for the Whites or he could even be a starter at Elland Road.

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Mawson is a ball-playing centre-half, and his passing range combined with his physical presence and giant leap would make him a great fit under Bielsa at Leeds. All in all, he could be the ideal long-term replacement for Jansson.

Verdict

Mawson is a proven centre-back who has shown he has what it takes to handle the pressure – if Leeds manages to sign him from Fulham then it would be a huge boost to their promotion hopes.