There’s been a big focus at Leeds United on tying down current first-team players, with Leif Davis the most recent to earn fresh terms at Elland Road.  

Leeds announced on Monday evening that Davis had committed his long-term future to the Whites, with the young defender signing up until the summer of 2023.

So far this season Davis has made five appearances across all competitions, registering one assist in the League Cup meeting with Stoke City.

The 19-year-old is capable at either left-back or centre-back, offering Marcelo Bielsa good versatility.

Davis has stepped off the bench in Leeds’ last two Championship fixtures, helping the first-team see out wins against QPR and Blackburn, making an impressive contribution in the process.

There was plenty of encouragement about Leeds tying Davis down long-term, so here, we take a look at THREE reasons why it was a no-brainer…

A long-term prospect

 

When you look at Davis and how athletic he is, you wouldn’t believe he’s only 19.

The defender is well built and has very good pace, with attackers not getting much change out of him when he’s featured in the first-team.

The fact that he’s 19, yet looks ready for senior football, is great news for Leeds and long-term, you’ve got to imagine that Davis will be a regular fixture in the starting line-up.

Versatility

Davis is coming through at left-back at the moment, but Bielsa has tested him on the left of a back-three and knows he is more than capable of playing at centre-back in the future.

That type of versatility is vital to Bielsa, with Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling two senior players who are a regular fixture because of their own versatility.

Whilst some say being versatile can hinder you, there’s always going to be room for someone like Davis in the matchday squad.

Nobody has the left-back slot nailed down

 

At the moment, Davis looks most comfortable at left-back or wing-back, which is a position that Leeds’ senior players haven’t nailed down.

Barry Douglas and Ezgjan Alioski are two players competing for the shirt at the moment, whilst Dallas can also play there.

However, Davis is impressing and making a good impact when he’s given a chance, with the senior players in the squad hardly making the shirt their own.

If that continues, he might well find himself with the shirt on a more regular basis.