Former Leeds United defender Ben Parker has claimed that Ben White is an improvement on Pontus Jansson.

White joined in the summer on loan from Brighton and has been asked to fill the spot in central defence left by Jansson, who was sold to Brentford in July.

Despite arriving with no Championship experience, the 22-year-old has been a revelation for Marcelo Bielsa’s side this season and become an integral player.

White has featured in every single game so far, helped Leeds concede the fewest goals in the division, and won the PFA Player of the Month award for August.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Parker suggested that replacing Jansson with the Brighton loanee had made Leeds a better side.

He explained: “Going back to when Pontus left the club, I think everyone associated with the club barring Bielsa, his staff and players, was maybe panicking.

“Pontus is a good player, he was a big character, fans liked him. So when we were looking around at the options, we just had Ben White coming to the club, a young player who had been out on loan a couple of times.

“For him to step up and be an upgrade on Pontus speaks volumes for him personally.”

He added: “In terms of what he does out on a pitch, where he gets judged ultimately, different class, superb. The kitmen must love him because I don’t think they have to wash his kit, he doesn’t seem to sweat, doesn’t get it dirty, never slides in, never caught out of position.

“In possession [it’s about] the way he sees the picture in front of him.

“He hits those diagonal passes we’ve seen him hit, he doesn’t mind hitting those from a deep position and that says something to the players in front of him, they have to work hard off the ball to create that little bit of space for the man on it.

“The option is there for the 50, 60-yard diag’ because it’s a no-risk pass in Ben White’s opinion, it’s something he feels comfortable doing.”

Leeds are currently fifth in the Championship, just two points behind league leaders West Bromwich Albion.

The Verdict

It seemed like a huge risk ahead of the season to replace Jansson, who had been a key player and a resolute defender for Leeds for the past three campaigns, with an untested young player but so far it has looked like a masterstroke.

You can’t help but agree with Parker. Jansson is a good defender and offers a physicality that White cannot match, however, the 22-year-old fits the mould of a ball-playing centre-back that Bielsa’s style of play screams out for.

His composure at the centre of the Whites defence has been extremely impressive and you feel if Leeds are to get promoted he will play a big part.

[freshpress-poll ]