Who is SD Huesca’s Javi Galan?

It’s no secret that Leeds United have been targeting a left-back for some time now.

When in full flight, the rumour mill spins at a rapid pace, its tales always far-reaching and are causes of great intrigue. Leeds fans have seen their club linked with many players over the course of the season, with the potential left-back solutions being some of the more sought-after stories, and with good reason.

Whilst Ezgjan Alioski has done a good job in his maiden Premier League voyage, he is nearing his thirties, preventing him from being a long-term option for Leeds’ defence. Whilst his form and general likeability have led to most fans pleading with him to extend his stay at Elland Road, he would surely soon be reduced to the bench, a factor that has probably, and would understandably, hinder any attempts at a contract renewal.

The left-back position is the only cog in Leeds’ system that really requires improvement. As solid as Alioski has been, he too has had poor patches of form, playing in a league that will punish such misfortune. Earlier in the season, the Whites saw themselves linked to Romain Perraud of Brest.

Leeds’ stance on the Frenchman remains unclear. Since the initial link was reported, it has been said that Leeds have cooled their interest in Perraud. From there, it has been said that Leeds’ interest had risen once more, before lessening again. It’s been a fairly confusing situation.

Perraud would be a good fit for the Leeds system, given his playstyle. The fee, however, always seemed to be a continuous area of disagreement in the negotiations. Moving on from Perraud, the rumour mill picked up momentum once more, and mere days later, another player had been linked with a move to LS11, SD Huesca’s Javi Galan.

Perhaps initially you’d be drawn to think Galan would not be a great move for Leeds. After all, he was a starting member of a relegated side that amassed only 34 points in La Liga in the season just passed. His basic stats read as one goal (which, to be fair, was a beauty against Real Madrid in an eventual 2-1 defeat for Huesca) and two assists, which again, doesn’t seem worthy of much praise.

Looking deeper into Galan’s game, though, and it quickly becomes evident that he is a very capable player in his own right, in spite of the fate suffered by his side.

The 26-year-old lives and breathes the offensive style in which he plays the game, an embodiment of the modern full-back, unafraid when charging forward with the ball. For one, he ranked seventh in La Liga for progressive carry distance, with 5310 yards to his name. Also, it has already been well documented that he completed the second most dribbles in the 2020/21 La Liga season with 114, second only to Lionel Messi’s 147.

He is far more than just this though. Despite being a defender, the Spaniard served as one of the driving forces behind Huesca’s attacking system this season alongside attacking midfielder David Ferreiro. Galan recorded 69 shot-creating actions this campaign, ranking second highest in his side only behind Ferreiro, who had 106.

As well as his shot-creating actions, he was able to record numerous impressive offensive statistics. Per game, he averaged 3.05 crosses, 1.47 passes into the penalty area and 1.17 key passes, amongst many other figures.

In a Bielsa system, having a defender that is willing to attack is perhaps more crucial than having a defender that is able to defend. The defender’s overall defensive quality has been questioned by observers, but if anyone will be able to teach him the art of defending, it will be Bielsa. More importantly though, he has a clear willingness to attack.

Leeds always look to play their games on the front foot, dancing merrily on the precipice of defensive collapse with their high pressing style, yet laughing so openly in the face of such fate, knowing it will rarely befall them. They are forever rushing their opponents, a flurry of white shirts always looking to translate into a threatening blizzard of wonderful, quick-paced counter attacks.

Having that inbuilt notion, that desire to get forward, is presumably far harder to teach when compared to learning the ropes of a defensive system. Galan will have to adapt to Leeds’ man-marking style, obviously, but it doesn’t seem as though it will take him too long.

Over the last year for Huesca, the full-back is averaging 16.33 pressures per 90, of which 5.49 are successful. Already a competent presser, the 26-year-old’s overall defensive numbers are very impressive.

The pressures, the tackling, and the even distribution amongst the defensive and midfield thirds. Such qualities would be expected in a Leeds team, and in Galan’s case, would surely only be bolstered if he made the switch to West Yorkshire.

That being said, there are of course flaws within the Spaniard’s game, regardless of his many positives. A diminutive player, the defender stands at 5’6”. This isn’t something that’s his fault, by any means, but such short stature will not contribute much to a Leeds team that have become somewhat renowned for struggling with set pieces.

Though he can’t help his height, Galan can be held at fault for his temper. In an incredibly detailed tactical player report by Total Football Analysis, they noted that one of his areas to improve is his frequent concession of fouls, something he does despite winning the majority of his defensive duels.

Committing 1.91 fouls per 90, the defender’s aggression will surely be something that Bielsa will look to control. Leeds are a disciplined side, through a combination of their manager’s morals and methods. With the intensity of their press, an early card often serves as a great issue and it means the marking is less fierce. As Galan is a defender, discipline is vital, especially as a full-back that will so often be utilised.

His game may have its flaws, but faultless footballers are an extremely rare commodity, scarcely ever seen. His upside easily outweighs any negatives. At 26, the full-back is entering the prime of his career, and is comfortably too talented to remain limited by restrictions the Segunda Division would place on him. Perhaps the most captivating factor of any potential deal for Javi Galan though, is not his quality, but his price.

The beginning of the season saw rumoured fees for the Spaniard swirling at around the £8 million mark. Normally, given his form this year and young age, that fee should’ve increased quite drastically. Galan however is entering the final year of his deal. This, combined with Huesca’s relegation, means the full-back would be available to Leeds for only £3.5 million.

Given his ability, £3.5 million for Galan would be a bargain, in every sense. Although Leeds’ interest in Perraud has weakened, he is said to be valued at around €10 million which, though cheap, is still a noticeable increase on the comparative pennies Leeds would have to pay for the Spanish defender.

On top of this, Newcastle and Southampton are too said to be in the race for Perraud, with the Saints leading the way for the Brest defender, having gone so far as making a bid of £8.5 million, according to Ryan Taylor. Even still, it feels worth comparing the two given the past extensive link between Perraud and Leeds, as well as doing it to see the difference in their output as players.

Above, Galan’s numbers are in red, whilst Perraud’s are in blue. Though the Frenchman exceeds Galan in certain metrics such as goals, assists and total duels, the Spaniard often betters his European counterpart in most areas, particularly when looking at his dribbling, tackling and successful duels.

Overall, Galan seems like an ideal fit for Leeds. His age and transfer fee work very much in his favour, and his quality would only heighten under the guidance of Bielsa. He would be provided with a consistent system in comparison to a somewhat hectic Huesca set-up.

Pragmatic more often than not, it’s hard to envision a world in which Galan doesn’t fit at Elland Road. A quick full-back who is a solid defender and even more talented going forward, his work rate and talent wouldn’t go underappreciated in a Leeds side so desperate for a true left-back. With Perraud looking bound for the South Coast, it leaves Galan as Leeds’ only (reported) target for his position.

Such a reality will only arise through the work of Victor Orta, but given his past work, Leeds fans should be happy to put such chance into his hands.

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