Why Leeds United should swoop for Rhian Brewster in January
According to Daily Mail, Leeds United are among a host of clubs interested in signing Liverpool academy prospect Rhian Brewster on loan when the transfer window reopens in January.
Championship promotion rivals Swansea City are among the potential suitors while Premier League duo Crystal Palace and Aston Villa are also hot on trail of the teenager (h/t Daily Mail).
Brewster was handed his senior professional bow for Liverpool in the Reds’ 2-0 victory over MK Dons in the EFL Cup back in September. He also scored in the penalty-shootout victory over Arsenal in the same tournament in October.
However, the 2017 U17 World Cup Golden Boot winner is yet to make his debut for Liverpool in the Premier League, despite featuring multiple times in Jurgen Klopp’s matchday squads.
Brewster’s involvement in the senior ranks has only been restricted to the EFL Cup, although he continues to be a regular for Neil Critchley’s U23s in the Premier League 2.
Now, as per the report, Klopp is willing to allow the teenager to leave Anfield on a loan spell in January to further his development with regular minutes.
With Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi all ahead of the 19-year-old in the pecking order, Liverpool’s decision to open the door for a loan move in January certainly makes perfect sense.
After all, staying at Anfield and playing a bit-part role in the first-team isn’t going to do Brewster’s development any good.
To put things into perspective, Leeds United can certainly do with added competition for places up top during the second half of the campaign to aid their surge for promotion. To that end, Rhian Brewster would be an ideal addition to the club’s ranks.
Eddie Nketiah was brought in on loan from Arsenal in the summer to cover for the departure of Kemar Roofe and challenge Patrick Bamford for a role up top.
However, after 17 games and more than three months into the season, Nketiah is yet to start a single league fixture for the West Yorkshire giants.
His lack of playtime hasn’t gone down well with the Gunners, who could recall him during the mid-season trading period (Football Insider h/t football.london).
Having endured a disappointing campaign at Elland Road last time around, Bamford has made a positive start to the ongoing season with four goals in his first six league games.
That, however, was followed by a ten-game goal drought for the former Chelsea man before he recently returned to form with goals in back-to-back games against Blackburn and Luton Town.
The Whites can hardly afford such inconsistencies during the second half of the campaign when the race for promotion goes down to the wire.
Verdict
Notwithstanding the fact that a goalscorer with proven pedigree in the Championship would fit the bill better, bringing in a talented youngster like Rhian Brewster won’t necessarily be a bad idea.
Tyler Roberts, of course, has shown in recent weeks that he can be more than a handful when it comes to making an impact.
Despite the fact that Brewster lacks previous Championship experience in his CV, Leeds would have a real gem on their hands if Bielsa manages to unlock the 19-year-old’s vast potential.
Looking at things from the player’s perspective, Brewster can receive better chances of first-team action at Elland Road than at Anfield.
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With that in mind, Leeds United should not hesitate to go all out in their pursuit of Rhian Brewster in January, as he would be capable of making a world of difference to their surge for promotion.