Leeds & West Ham want Sampdoria’s Omar Colley

March 31, 2021 c_admin Football News Comments Off on Leeds & West Ham want Sampdoria’s Omar Colley

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31/3/2021 | 06:45pm

Leeds have joined the transfer race to sign Sampdoria defender Omar Colley this summer.

What’s the story?

Despite signing the likes of Robin Koch and Diego Llorente last year, it appears Marcelo Bielsa’s side are keen on strengthening the centre of their defence even further this time around.

Now, according to ClubDoria46 (via TEAMtalk), the Whites are eyeing up a move for the 6 foot 3 Colley, although they face major Premier League competition from the likes of West Ham and Newcastle too.

The report adds that Sampdoria are open to a sale this summer and making a profit on the centre-back.

Leeds’ next Pontus Jansson

While Pontus Jansson may not have lasted the course under Bielsa – he played 41 times for the Argentine before being moved on to Brentford – the Swede clearly has fond memories of his time at Elland Road.

Speaking recently, the powerful centre-back said: ” To be completely honest, I miss Leeds and love Leeds, but I’m in a place in life where I’m incredibly happy with where I am now at my new club and how appreciated I am there. But it is clear that I miss Leeds, my team-mates and the club.”

Do you miss Pontus Jansson?

Yes!

No!

No!

In Colley, Orta could very well sign Leeds’ next Jansson. Standing at an imposing 6 foot 3, the Gambia international is an absolute monster when it comes to the pure old-school defensive side of the game, throwing his body at absolutely everything and doing everything possible to stop the opposition from scoring.

As per Whoscored, his average of 2.6 interceptions per game would rank him first among all of Leeds’ players, while his 4.2 clearances per match also sees him comfortably above any of Bielsa’s current squad – those two numbers actually remarkably similar to what Jansson managed in his final season at Elland Road, registering 2.3 interceptions and 4.2 clearances per game.

Colley’s dominance in the air – he wins three aerial duels per match – will also be music to the ears of Bielsa, who has seen his side struggle massively this season in the Premier League when it comes to set-pieces.

They have conceded the most from dead-ball situations with 15, and are 16th in the table when it comes to average aerial duels won per game. Having a powerhouse like Colley in the side would go a long way to solving Bielsa’s big problem, and give Leeds a real formidable presence at the back who won’t get bullied when the ball comes into the box.

Meanwhile, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa is making a massive mistake over this star…