Why Leeds United should keep hold of Tom Pearce amidst PL interest
According to the Bristol Post, Everton and Bournemouth are both keeping close tabs on Leeds United defender Tom Pearce. The 20-year-old has fallen out of favour under Marcelo Bielsa even after signing a new contract in the summer.
He has made only two substitute appearances this season in the Championship and could be out of Elland Road by January. The Toffees and the Cherries are monitoring the situation of the highly-rated left-back, who is contracted to the Peacocks until 2022. (Bristol Post)
However, here’s why the Yorkshire club should keep hold of the 20-year-old amidst interest from the Premier League clubs.
Pearce can yet play a huge part
Leeds United made a bright start to the season, but they went through a rough patch in between, before grabbing a win earlier in the day.
Nevertheless, the lack of squad depth is hurting, and more so the injuries to key players which are setting the team behind.
All that being said, the Peacocks have two genuine centre-backs in their first-team squad – Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper. Gaetano Berardi and Kalvin Phillips, who play in central defence at times, are not natural central defenders.
When Barry Douglas was injured, the manager preferred to play Stuart Dallas instead of giving the young Pearce a chance.
The 20-year-old shouldn’t be discouraged by this though. He is at the right club at this point in time, under a legendary manager. Even though he is not getting the opportunities, he should work harder to impress the gaffer and should learn the game from the one of the best.
The way injuries and fatigue are hitting this Leeds squad, Pearce could well get his chance to prove his worth. He needs to be ready for that chance, in order to grab it with both hands. The Englishman is still only 20 and has time on his side. Therefore, he can spend a few months on the bench and only train under the genius that Marcelo Bielsa is.
From the player’s perspective, moving to the Premier League in January could be a bit premature. Both Everton and Bournemouth have good left-sided defenders competing for places.
Hence, if Pearce does join any of them, he will most probably warm the bench. He is a talent who needs proper coaching and tactical knowledge.
Read More: Who is this versatile 20-year-old personally scouted by Bielsa? A big talent for the future?
So Leeds should keep hold of him and trust Bielsa to make a good player out of the Englishman.