Leeds United's defence have conceded 22 goals already this season, despite being the Championship's most secure during the promotion campaign of 2019-20.
This will no doubt be of some concern to Marcelo Bielsa, but the fact he has been missing a string of centre-back for various games in the Premier League has not helped defensive matters.
Liam Cooper missed a handful of matches early in the campaign, including the season opener at Anfield, while Diego Llorente has missed 11 of the first 12 games Leeds have contested in the top flight this year, and is set to miss at least a couple more.
The side's one ever-present prior to the injury sustained against Chelsea was German international Robin Koch, who is now faced with the prospect of three months recovery following knee surgery.
West Ham United dispatched of a makeshift Leeds defence last time out at Elland Road, with Luke Ayling deputising at centre-back.
Pascal Struijk and Kalvin Phillips also offer Bielsa alternatives in this role, but they are far from ideal replacements for the impressive Koch or Spanish international Llorente.
One option who would suit Bielsa's progressive style of play is currently plying his trade in Ligue 1. An England youth international with Aidy Boothroyd's under-21s, Jonathan Panzo has taken a fairly different route to the summit of European football, and has his sights set on the Premier League next.
Currently at Dijon in France's top flight, Panzo joined AS Monaco as a teenager after being schooled at Chelsea's Cobham academy complex. He has spent time on loan in Belgium with Cercle Brugge and gradually worked his way up the England youth ranks, most recently appearing for England U-21.
The 20-year-old is a tall, imposing and yet mobile central defender; left-footed too. According to FBRef.com, Panzo has completed 86 of his 113 long passes this season, which represents an impressive 77% success rate.
Not only that, Panzo is an excellent reader of the game, making 2.4 interceptions per 90 this season, as per WhoScored - a similar figure to Ben White in the Championship last season. This is no doubt inflated due to Dijon's relative inferiority to the rest of Ligue 1, but it indicates the 20-year-old is a modern day centre-back who prefers to stand up his opponent rather than needlessly lunge in.
Panzo is a rare commodity, a young centre-back who would qualify as homegrown in Leeds United's squad, who will not cost the earth due to the developing situation in Ligue 1 regarding the collapse of broadcaster Telefoot Chaine.
The company, owned by Mediapro, is set to be shut down within weeks according to L'Equipe, over a dispute concerning the money owed to France's Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP).
This means clubs such as Dijon, already strapped for funds due to a broadcast rebate following the premature cancellation of last season's Ligue 1 campaign, could find themselves in financial difficulty.
Sources close to the player indicate Panzo would be receptive to a Premier League move, but is primarily focused on the task at hand with keeping Dijon in Ligue 1.
Given his six-foot-two frame, European experience and homegrown status, Panzo could certainly be an option Leeds United explore in January if a further injury is suffered by the defence, or Llorente's ailment is somewhat exacerbated.
In terms of mentality, Panzo would bring with him a history of success, having been brought through the Chelsea setup where youth sides are perpetual winners. He was also an integral part of England's 2017 Under-17 World Cup triumph three years ago.
More to the point, Panzo can also deputise at left-back where Leeds are ever so slightly understaffed at present.
There are certainly worse options, and given Panzo's closeness with the rest of the England U-21 setup - which includes Eddie Nketiah - it is likely that working under Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds would be an enticing and well-endorsed opportunity.
