Leicester City interested in most wanted player in England
Leicester City are amongst the top six clubs that have enquired about Brighton & Hove Albion’s young centre-back, Ben White, as the interest has now dubbed the youngster “the most wanted player in England”.
Ben White was a crucial component of Leeds United’s title campaign – having spent last season there on loan. White is one of only two players to appear in every game for the club, and is the only squad member to feature in all of the 4,140 minutes in the league. Should Leicester City sign him?
White’s a technical, ball-playing centre-back, meaning the adjustment to Premier League football shouldn’t be too extreme. Marcelo Bielsa requires his centre-backs to instigate play from the back, so it’s no surprise that White averages 56.2 passes per 90 minutes.
His success rate is on the upper-side of average – 84.6% – but this is due to the risk of his progressive passing, which is crucial to Bielsa’s play and explains why White featured so heavily for Leeds United this season.
Not only does White break the lines with his passing, he’s impartial to a run through the middle. The youngster has a knack for marauding through the centre of the park whilst carrying the ball, dissecting the oppositions defensive structure – before either being fouled, or playing a killer (key) pass into the final third.
It’s this, somewhat calculated, risk-taking that allows White space to initiate attacking sequences single-handedly. Foxes fans are accustom to former-player, Harry Maguire dribbling out from the defensive third, but there’s more flair, fluidity and elegance to the Seagulls centre-back when progressing with the ball.
It’s imperative that a centre-back is as good defensively as they’re in possession, otherwise, their physical presence – of which White is 6ft1 – may suit more of a central defensive-midfield role. White is very adept defensively, with 4.1 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes, with a further 3.2 clearances and blocks per 90 minutes as well – showcasing stability, and a good reading of the game.
The 22-year-old has experimented playing central-defensive midfield, too, Bielsa deployed him there three times this season – with a further match at central-midfield. White impressed at central-midfield, as he helped Leeds bypass Barnsley by a goal to nil – being rewarded with a 7.9 match rating on WhoScored, equal to Man of The Match Liam Cooper.
Next. Foxes eye up UCL defender. dark
It’s safe to say that during the Championship campaign, White suited more of a centre-back role, but with extra quality in oppositions attacking lines, his risk-taking and ball-carrying might lead to managers opting to play him slightly higher up, with defensive cover behind him. Either way, harnessing his abilities will be advantageous for almost all Premier League sides.
The youngster has a current market value of £4.5 million, but that’s significantly lower than what will be required to take him away from the coast of Brighton. The Sun have stated that Graham Potter and those in charge of recruitment and sales at the Seagulls, want in excess of £50 million for White’s services – which might keep Brendan Rodgers and Leicester City from pursuing their interest.
TRANSFER RUMOURS. Fox wanted by multiple clubs, may leave. light
For what it’s worth, I think signing him should be see as an investment and would therefore suit a move of around £35-£40 million. Because although he’s not quite at the required level for a move of that fee, he’s got the potential to surpass it. With that being said, I don’t think the Foxes should pursue White – that sort of fee should be spent on either a left-back or a left-footed winger, before being spent on an understudy centre-back.