Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has claimed that star centre-back Ben White would give Liverpool’s first-team defenders a run for their money, amid reported interest.
White signed for Leeds on a season-long loan in the summer and has been exceptional under Marcelo Bielsa ever since.
The centre-back arrived at Elland Road with little reputation having previously played at Newport County and Peterborough, meaning not many expected his performance levels to be so high this early at Leeds, especially given the departure of Swedish powerhouse Pontus Jansson.
White has partnered Liam Cooper to help Leeds towards boasting the best defence in the top four divisions with just 10 conceded in 19 league games.
This stunning run of performances from the Brighton centre-back has obviously generated interest in his availability, with a number of clubs circling to test the Seagulls’ resolve over keeping him in the coming summer.
One of the main clubs interested is Premier League leaders Liverpool, who are keen to invest in the young centre-back to develop him alongside Virgil Van Dijk.
With the Reds already having a talented centre-back in their ranks in Joe Gomez, it would be up to White to prove he has what it takes to displace him for club and country, which Noel Whelan is confident of him doing. Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan had this to say on that comparison: “Ben White is good enough for Liverpool, in my opinion, he is better than Joe Gomez.
“He would give the centre-backs vying to partner Virgil van Dijk a run for their money.
“There is no doubt Ben White will be an England international sooner rather than later.
“It’s incredible to think he’d never played in the Premier League or Championship before this season but, deary me, he is brilliant.
“I’ve seen him every game this season and he’s the best centre-back I’ve seen at Leeds since Rio Ferdinand.”
Can you name where these ex-Leeds players are now?
The Verdict
It is a bold claim to suggest Ben White is better than England international Joe Gomez, however, his performance levels for the Whites this season have been exceptional and he deserves all the interest from the Premier League that he gets.
It is yet to be seen whether Liverpool’s interest in White will yield anything concrete but he could certainly fit into the side in the long term under Jurgen Klopp.