The Leeds fans in the Transfer Tavern are still celebrating their side’s win over Bolton on Friday as they managed to double their number of wins in 2018 as they ran out 2-1 winners over Phil Parkinson’s struggling Bolton. Although the fans won’t be celebrating for long if Phil Hay from the Yorkshire Evening Post is correct in his assessment of the future of Leeds centre-back Pontus Jansson.
my gut feeling is that if anyone is going to leave it'll be him (especially if he has a good World Cup).
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) April 2, 2018
The Swedish defender has become a fan favourite at Elland Road in his two years at the club after joining the Yorkshire club on-loan from Torino last season before making his stay a permanent one in the summer. Jansson has been one of the best defenders in the Championship and will surely be on the radar of a number of Premier League clubs in the summer, especially if he can impress for Sweden this summer in the World Cup. The Swede didn’t start for his country in either of the games in their World Cup playoff tie against Italy but is set to travel to Russia as a part of Janne Andersson’s squad.
In the short time left between now and the World Cup, Jansson will be doing everything in his power to demonstrate why he should be a starter in Russia come June. The 27-year-old was in rip-roaring form in 2017 before hitting a dip, along with the rest of his club side, in 2018 where they’ve only managed two wins and find themselves 12th and nine points off of a playoff place. With seven games remaining for Leeds, it’s extremely unlikely that they’ll manage to worm themselves into the playoffs, but if they can keep Jansson at Elland Road, they’ll have a much better chance of making the top six next season.
You can read our local Whites’ verdict on Phil Hay’s Jansson assessment here:
He will be 3rd choice CB in the WC. Probably won’t play at all.
— Linus Fransson Mörk (@LinusMork) April 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/ephemeraljoy/status/980745082889555969
These are the prime years of PJ’s career. He’ll think it’s a waste if he’s not in a top flight league soon. Otherwise he won’t get paid or be good enough when the next opportunity comes around. Wouldn’t blame him.
— Iain Ogilvie (@maidasaint) 2 April 2018
As much as I love jansson he's 100% not the same player as last year..
Now is that down to "out of form?"
Or basically not having Kyle next too him?
BUT he's still and without a shadow of doubt been are best centre half by a long mile this year and will be hard to replace (1/2)— Benjamin Thornton (@BenjaminTlufc) April 2, 2018
Why the talk of anyone leaving if rad is doing a wolves lol
— jayjay82🏆 (@jwh1982) April 2, 2018
I'd say if A-Radz whispers sweet nothing's into his ear and we show some intent in the market I reckon he'll give us at least another year
— a_L_l_A_n_P💙💛🏆 (@aperry1986) April 2, 2018
