Former Leeds United man Jermaine Pennant believes Daniel Farke should reintroduce a player who wants to leave the club to the squad next season, as he has Premier League quality.
Leeds boosted their Championship promotion chances significantly with a dramatic 2-1 victory against Sunderland in their last match, with Pascal Struijk striking late to put his side seven points clear of third-place Burnley.
With 13 games left to play, the Whites are in a very strong position to return to the Premier League at the second time of asking, and Pennant has told Football FanCast he fancies his former side’s chances of going all the way.
“I can’t see a massive crash, I can’t see a massive dip in form. With the Championship, there’s so many games, but I think Leeds are in a comfortable place. Will they win the league? That’s a question to be asked, but for automatic promotion, I think they’re looking odds on.”
Related
Leeds now considering signing £5m Sunderland star and “interesting” striker
Leeds are beginning to put plans in place for next season and are keen on adding more firepower to their forward line.
After suffering relegation from the Premier League in 2023, the West Yorkshire outfit were forced to loan out Rasmus Kristensen and Jack Harrison to top-tier clubs.
When asked whether Farke should bring any of the players currently out on loan back into the fold next season, the former Leeds man said: “I think Jack Harrison. We’ve seen teams come into the Premier League and not invest in Premier League players who can do the job. The Championship and the Premier League is such a drastic difference.
“So a player like Harrison who’s been in the Premier League and is in and out but knows all about it, I think they need to keep players like that and bring him back in.”
Harrison keen to stay at Everton
The £90k-per-week winger has received regular game time at Everton this season, and during the January transfer window it was reported he wanted to earn a permanent deal with the Toffees, rather than returning to Elland Road.
Of course, that stance could change if Leeds are promoted to the Premier League this season, but the 28-year-old may also still be keen on being a part of the David Moyes rebuild, having played a key role since the Scot returned to Goodison Park.
Although Harrison has been impressive in the top flight in the past, amassing five goals and seven assists for the Whites in the 2022-23 campaign, this season has not been his best, with the Everton loanee still yet to record a goal contribution in any competition.
As such, it’s not the end of the world if a return to Elland Road isn’t on the cards this summer, and Farke may perhaps focus more on bringing in Manor Solomon on a permanent deal, with Pennant also particularly impressed by the Israel star.
