Leeds United are focused on ensuring they earn automatic promotion to the Premier League in the remaining eight games of the season. However, promotion will bring a squad overhaul and Leeds United are staring at making several key decisions on both incoming and outgoing personnel. David Prutton feels one of those calls should be very easy to make for the Whites.
Daniel Farke and the Leeds United players are preparing for a big game this weekend when they host Swansea City at Elland Road in a key Championship clash.
Leeds are coming into the game on the back of two wins in five and the Whites need a strong performance and a result to calm down a fanbase who are worried about Leeds faltering at the business end of the campaign like last season.
Joe Rothwell is almost certain to start at Elland Road but he is also one of the players who are still not sure whether they will be at Leeds next season if the Whites get promoted.
Leeds United need to cut their cloth accordingly, and Joe Rothwell fits perfectly – David Prutton
Rothwell joined Leeds on loan from Bournemouth last summer and has been one of the most important players in the squad this season.
The Cherries are prepared to sell him, but there are question marks about whether he would be good enough for Leeds if they get promoted to the Premier League.
However, Prutton insisted that his Premier League experience should stand him in good stead, and he is already admired by both the players and the fans at Leeds.
The former White is unsure about the criticisms the midfielder has faced this season and insisted that, given Leeds would have a big but limited budget if they get promoted, securing Rothwell for a relatively small fee should be a no-brainer.
“Joe Rothwell has been superb this season for Leeds”, Prutton told the Football League World.
“The experience that he’s shown, that smattering of Premier League experience, could bode well if they were to sign him permanently if they go up.
“Given the options in the middle of the field, with the likes of [Ilia] Gruev and Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka, his delivery from a set piece, his composure in possession, he’s got real leadership qualities.
“A real humble player, a player that is very well liked by his teammates and the fans that he’s committed himself to this season.
“And, as well, you’ve got to look at the number of games that he’s got under his belt, which is why a player does leave to go on loan, to try and get the game time that he’s missing at his parent club, which he’s got in spades.
“The question being sometimes playing away from home, which I don’t really know why it’s become a thing, because he’s a very seasoned professional.
“But he knows how to do it on the road, and in front of his own fans, and I absolutely do think Leeds should be signing a player such as that.
“Because of what potentially he’s put towards potentially getting them into the Premier League, but because of his personality and nous when it comes to operating in midfield.
“Yes, it’s a different proposition against Premier League teams, but cutting the cloth accordingly from a financial point of view, Joe could fit pretty well into that for Leeds.”
It is a no-brainer for Leeds to sign Rothwell
Rothwell has proved his value time and again this season, and his performances have been key to bringing Leeds to this position at this stage of the campaign.
Leeds are likely to bring in new midfielders if they get promoted, but there is no reason why the 30-year-old can’t be kept as a squad option next season.
Can you name the Leeds game these 10 goal celebrations are from?
He is available for as little as £7m, and has already shown this season that he can turn games around while coming on from the bench.
Rothwell’s set-piece delivery will be an invaluable asset in the Premier League, given the Whites are not expected to dominate many games in the top flight.
His experience and presence in the dressing room just make it a no-brainer for Leeds to sign him on a permanent deal in the summer.
