Leeds have a keeper shortage.

The departures of Andy Lonergan and Felix Wiedwald were useful in clearing out players who are not of the standard required for a play-off push. However, it leaves Marcelo Bielsa with Bailey Peacock-Farrell as his only senior goalkeeper. To this end, the pursuit of Jamal Blackman is a necessary, if uninspiring, move.

Blackman is the least impressive of the three goalkeepers that Leeds have been linked with this summer. However, circumstance leaves him as the last man standing. Angus Gunn has joined Southampton for £10 million, rising to £13.5 million with add-ons, and Birmingham City’s transfer embargo means David Stockdale is potentially unlikely to leave.

The England youth international would not be a poor signing by any stretch of the imagination. His ability to command the box was on display for much of last season at Sheffield United as he kept nine clean sheets in his 31 games. His potential is visible in Chelsea’s reluctance to let him leave on a permanent transfer.

Nonetheless, flaws remain in his game and he does not represent a noticeable upgrade on Peacock-Farrell. His kicking is suspect as is his temperament, seen in his childish red card against Brentford. Were he to sign, Peacock-Farrell would remain the more likely to start against Stoke at the start of the season. His performances at the tail end of last season were enough to warrant a starting berth. Yet back-up is needed and Blackman is competent enough to provide that. Whether he could help lead Leeds to the play-offs is another matter.

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