Leeds United are hard at work in the transfer market as they prepare for their first Premier League campaign for 16 years.
One of the areas most in need of strengthening is the middle of defence, following the expiration of Ben White's superlative loan spell and the end of Gaetano Berardi's contract, which comes after he suffered a devastating knee injury.
A permanent deal for White would be at the top of many fans' shopping lists after he played every minute of the club's title-winning campaign. But with many wealthy admirers, Leeds know how tough it will be to secure his signature on a permanent basis.
Back-up targets will have been identified, but if Leeds were to look at the cream of the Championship crop they may find some good deals to be had.
Here is a look at some players that impressed in the second tier this season.
Krystian Bielik
Derby didn't have the best of seasons under Philip Cocu, missing out on the play-offs, but Bielik gave a good account of himself.
The Pole wouldn’t come cheap, having moved to Pride Park just last summer for what could end up being a club-record fee, but the extra funds afforded by promotion could make him an option for Leeds.
Bielik’s ability in midfield as well as defence means he’s the kind of player who could adapt well to a Marcelo Bielsa system. His 82.4% pass completion rate, according to stats website WhoScored.com. puts him among the top 10 centre-backs in the Championship. And at just 22, he’s at a great age.
Ethan Pinnock
At 27, Pinnock might not be as young as some of Leeds’ other options, but the late bloomer has worked his way up from non-league to look the part in the second tier.
Pinnock is in his first season at Wembley-bound Brentford, but has looked accomplished in the air with an average of 4.6 aerial duels won per game.
Should Brentford win the play-off final however, they would be able to dig their heels in when it comes to fending off bids for their best assets.
Matt Clarke
The 23-year-old has gone from playing in League One for Portsmouth to being a useful asset for Derby after being sent out on loan by new parent club Brighton last summer.
Leeds have benefited from having another Brighton defender in White on their books this season, and it seems the Seagulls have an eye for a centre-back with all-round qualities.
Clarke has averaged 1.1 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game this season, while ranking highly for both aerial duels won (4.1) and pass competition (80.9%).
Yoann Barbet
Barbet has had a stop-start season due to injury, but the QPR man has the attributes needed for a Leeds-type team.
The Frenchman was actually linked with Leeds last season, only to opt to stay in London after ending a four-year stint at Brentford.
With a pass completion rate of 74% or higher in each of his five seasons at this level, and more than 58 passes per game in 2019/20, one of the highest returns in the Championship, the 27-year-old continues to show why Leeds have been interested in the past.
Joe Worrall
Nottingham Forest’s revival under Sabri Lamouchi owes a lot to a core of English players, and centre-back Worrall is one of those to catch the eye.
The 23-year-old didn't miss a minute all season since returning from a loan spell at Rangers, sticking it out even after the January departure of Jack Robinson to ensure Forest remain in the play-off hunt despite the club scoring the same number of goals as 22nd-place Hull City.
With an 81% pass success rate and 3.3 aerial duels won per game, Worrall continues to improve year-on-year as he establishes himself as a top young defender.
Mike van der Hoorn
The 27-year-old’s Ajax grounding means his ability on the ball doesn’t come as a huge surprise, and the defender has said a Premier League move would be a “top scenario”.
The Dutchman didn’t set the world alight during Swansea’s 2017/18 top-flight relegation season, but his two campaigns in the second tier paint a picture of a player who has been able to rebuild and show himself to be ready for a top-flight return.
Only five Championship centre-backs have a better pass success rate this season, while four of the seven who outperformed him in the metric last season are now in the Premier League.
