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The left-back position has long been one of relative frustration for Leeds United fans.
Since Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival at Leeds, the position is perhaps the only one that the Argentine has truly failed to fill. Leif Davis is a promising young player but is certainly not ready for consistently starting in Premier League games. Often in the 2020/21 season, as was the case in their promotion winning campaign of 2019/20, Bielsa has favoured Gjanni Alioski or Stuart Dallas as his left-back.
Neither of the above are natural left-backs, or if they are, they weren’t initially bought by Leeds to be so. Dallas was bought from Brentford as a winger, whilst Alioski arrived from FC Lugano, also to play on the wing.
Both have certainly put in impressive shifts in the defensive position when called upon. Alioski has seemed far more reliable as a defensive player than an offensive one, whereas Dallas seems versatile enough to play anywhere, with left-back being no exception.
The issue presented for Bielsa is thus; whilst Alioski approaches the last months of his contract and Dallas continues to impress in central midfield, the two are also approaching their thirties. Whilst Dallas will no doubt be an impressive and integral part of Bielsa’s side, many feel that Alioski is perhaps capped at a bench-level standard.
The feeling is that not only do Leeds need to sign a true left-back but one young enough to have a future at the club and one able enough to understand and embrace Bielsa’s system.
One such name is Romain Perraud. The full-back currently plies his trade in Ligue 1, playing for Brest after transferring there from Nice in 2019. United seem to maintain an interest in him, despite Perraud having signed a new, five-year contract with the French side earlier in the year.
A quiet January for Leeds United which made sense given the league table but plans formulating for the summer:
– Club hopeful of Alioski deal but want new LB
– Firm interest in Perraud at Brest
– Midfield options being looked at
– Hernandez latesthttps://t.co/n0qAGSITix— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) February 2, 2021
It only takes a glance at Perraud to be excited by his game. Watching him in action, Perraud is clearly comfortable on the ball. A pacey player that not only consistently seeks a ball forward, but is willing and able to play such a pass.
Perraud too can boast an eye for goal and the right cross in an offensive repertoire that would suit a Bielsa system to a tee. Leeds pride themselves in attacking football and the addition of Perraud would surely only bolster their already impressive system.
Whilst being capable on the attacking front, Perraud wouldn’t be much of a full back if he wasn’t able to defend. His natural pace and overall awareness allow him to maintain a consistent defensive presence that bolsters his overall game when acknowledged alongside his attacking ability.
Whilst Perraud passes the eye test regardless, his stats only support any claims in favour of his talent that has so noticeably flourished throughout the course of his career and in this season particularly, his form good enough to merit a place in the Ligue 1 team of the season so far.
11 – Découvrez l'équipe type Opta sur la première moitié de la saison 2020/21 de Ligue 1 selon notre index statistiques. Rassemblement ?. pic.twitter.com/kB5q6ysiAV
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) December 29, 2020
Amongst European full-backs over the last year, Perraud has ranked as one of the best, especially impressive given his young age. Perraud’s statistics further the praise on both his attacking and defensive abilities. Averaging 1.31 shots per 90 minutes, Perraud ranks amongst the top five percent of wingbacks in overall shots per game, whilst too attempting almost 60 passes per game as well as 1.3 dribbles per game.
Perraud is a wingback who loves to get forward, a playstyle that would tie in nicely with a Bielsa system that so clearly favours overlapping runs.
Often, Leeds United will see the ball down the wing, their fullback or winger hoping to find their talisman, Patrick Bamford, in the centre, awaiting the right cross in. So far in the Premier League, Leeds are averaging 22 crosses per game, beaten only by Liverpool’s 24.
Romain Perraud, over the last year, ranks in the top three percent of fullbacks for crosses into the penalty area with 1.16 per 90 and 3.71 crosses overall, numbers that would see him as a welcome addition to the Leeds United offence.
Perraud linking on the left with Jack Harrison would give the Whites a left-wing to rival the talent on the opposing side. Luke Ayling and Raphinha have oozed quality since their first minute in a Premier League game and, whilst Dallas and Alioski have always done what is required, the addition of Perraud would just give the Leeds left-wing that bit more capability.
Luke Ayling for Leeds in the PL in 2020/21:
Touches: 2233 (1st)
Succ. Passes: 1323 (1st)
Succ. Forward Passes: 728 (1st)
Succ. Take-Ons: 33 (1st)
Ball Recoveries: 182 (1st)
Duels Won: 149 (1st)
Tackles Won: 63 (1st)
Blocks: 24 (J-1st)
Clearances: 63 (1st)
Fouls Won: 35 (1st)— LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA) February 21, 2021
Perraud’s 2.45 carries into the final third per 90 would too be a welcome bonus for a Bielsa side that, each game, attempts to embody everything beautiful about attacking football. Perraud too ranks in the top 25% of fullbacks for pressures per game, with 13.75. Bielsa defensively has a clear focus on pressure, his players tirelessly searching to retain possession in the rare instances they are without it.
Finally, in a long list of seemingly only positives surrounding Perraud, the wingback averages 86 minutes per game, a clear indication of stamina so greatly appreciated in a Bielsa side, and often envied elsewhere in the Premier League.
Still in his early-twenties, Perraud seems the ideal long term solution for Leeds United, in a position that they have so consistently seemed to struggle with. A capable two-way player that boasts a natural sense of fitness and general ability, Romain Perraud seems as though he is on the brink of truly blossoming as a player.
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