Leeds United director of football Victor Orta reportedly claimed ahead of the season that on-loan defender Ben White "is going to be a star". 

The 22-year-old arrived on a season-long loan from Brighton in the summer and faced the difficult task of replacing experienced centre-back Pontus Jansson, who was sold to Brentford.

So far, that move has looked a masterstroke. White has played every minute of every Championship game this season, helped Leeds to concede the fewest goals and keep the most clean sheets in the division, and won the PFA Fans' Player of the Month award for August.

What has perhaps been most impressive about the defender is his ability in possession, as evidenced by his fantastic burst forward to set up Patrick Bamford's opening goal on Saturday.

Given his lack of experience, it would've been understandable if there had been question marks over whether White was ready to step up for Leeds but it appears Orta had confidence in him from the very beginning.

In The Athletic, Adam Crafton has revealed that ahead of the season the Whites director of football made a bold claim about the 22-year-old.

When it was suggested to Orta in July that the club needed to add another centre-back, he replied: "Trust me, in a couple of months’ time, everyone will realise how good a signing we have made here.

"We believe the boy is going to be a star.”

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With White at the heart of defence, Marcelo Bielsa's side have climbed up to second in the Championship as things stand and will go top if they beat Reading this evening.

The Verdict

Orta's prediction is beginning to look impressively accurate. White has been arguably Leeds' best player and perhaps the best in the Championship this season.

The 22-year-old cannot offer the same sort of physicality that Jansson did but he has been unflappable defensively this season and a key player for them in possession–averaging the most passes per game in the squad at an impressive success rate of 85.9% (Whoscored).

The reported interest from Manchester United and Liverpool hint that he may be destined for the very top but Leeds will be hoping he can help them return to the Premier League in the meantime.