Leeds United manager Daniel Farke did look worried when Jayden Bogle had to be taken off during their 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road on Wednesday. The German confirmed after the game that the defender suffered a dead leg but he hopes to have him back in the team for the trip to Hull City on Saturday. Bogle’s injury is a worry for Leeds as they do not have a natural cover for him and it is hard to replace a man who has been the best right-back in the Championship this season.
Bogle emerged as the top target for Leeds early in the last summer transfer when it became clear that the club wanted to bring in a new right-back in the window.
Archie Gray left Leeds for Tottenham and Leeds definitely needed someone who would make the right-back position his own and the club ensured that they brought in the 24-year-old from Sheffield United.
Bogle wasted little time in pinning down the right-back spot for himself and has been the first-choice starter whenever he has been fit and available to play.
Some of his defensive capabilities came under fire early in the season but those doubts have disappeared and he has been a massive player for Leeds in attack in the ongoing campaign.
Farke wanted a right-back who could contribute in the final third and Bogle has been more than a wonderful player for the Whites in an attacking sense.
Jayden Bogle has been a massive transfer success for Leeds United
Bogle has missed just two league games this season – once due to a suspension and once due to an injury – and has been the undisputed first-choice right-back.
His defensive abilities came under the scanner early in the season, especially following Leeds’ defeat against Burnley at Elland Road early in the campaign.
However, he has tightened up as a defender and is now a key part of a defensive unit that has looked solid during the recent festive period in the last week.
But in the final third, he has emerged as a clear threat in the last few months and is now a real presence in attack for Leeds even if he is not scoring the goals or providing the telling pass.
On paper, he has scored just three goals and registered an assist. However, his presence in the final third is allowing the other attackers to thrive.
Bogle is comfortable playing one-two combinations in the final third and is equally adept at playing penetrating long balls for quick transitions.
His performances this season are a testament to the work the Leeds recruitment team carried out last summer to ensure that the team had readymade players to make them into promotion contenders this season.
The best right-back in the Championship
Sheffield United have missed Bogle this season and Chris Wilder indicated early in the season that his side missed his attacking runs on the flanks.
Bogle has proved his detractors at Leeds this season and has only improved as a player since arriving at Elland Road in the last summer transfer window.
He has been a better defender at Leeds and has continued to remain a modern attacking full-back who makes his presence felt in the final third.
It is not hard to see why he is considered the best right-back in the Championship playing for the best team in the league at the moment.
Bogle has allowed Farke to not worry about the right-back slot this season when it seemed like an issue when Gray left in the last summer transfer window.
The former Sheffield United man has provided stability and real quality to a team that needed some inspiration following their playoff final heartbreak last season.
If things go according to plan, Bogle will get another crack in the Premier League with Leeds next season as long as he keeps himself fit and consistent.
