Andy Couzens has backed Ben White to potentially be a better player for Leeds United than Pontus Jansson, in wake of the centre-back’s impressive debut in the 3-1 win over Bristol City at the weekend.  

Leeds have moved to bring White to Elland Road on a season-long loan from Brighton this summer, with the 21-year-old seen by Marcelo Bielsa as the replacement for Jansson, who has moved across the Championship to Brentford.

The departure of Jansson led to many calls for the Whites to sign a big name to fill the centre-back void, and whilst Couzens admits Leeds might need a couple more signings, including in the defence, he’s backing White to potentially make a bigger impact than the Swedish international.

“I think we are short on two or three, I think we potentially need a keeper, potentially need a centre-half and potentially need a centre-forward,” Couzens told FLW in an exclusive interview with Chief Editor, Sam Rourke.

“Let’s be honest about it, we’ve got to trust the manager. Before the season, everyone’s gone ‘Jansson’s gone, we need a replacement’, well he’s got a replacement.

“We’ve all seen what White can do in the first game and if he plays like that for the rest of the season, if you ask me personally, I think we’ve got a better signing than what Jansson was in that position.”  

Previously, White has had spells in League Two with Newport County and League One with Peterborough, but never played in the Championship until Sunday’s clash at Ashton Gate.

White slotted into the Leeds defence alongside Liam Cooper, with the pair handling Famara Diedhiou’s threat throughout.

Goals from Pablo Hernandez, Patrick Bamford and Jack Harrison secured the win for Leeds, who host Nottingham Forest at Elland Road this Saturday lunchtime.

Meanwhile, Jansson lost 1-0 to Birmingham City on his Brentford debut.