Brian Deane believes Leeds United should allow Liam Cooper to leave Elland Road on a free transfer at the end of the season to earn a big contract elsewhere.
The Scottish international has been a bit-part player for Daniel Farke’s team this season, making only seven Championship starts for the Whites after falling behind Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, and Ethan Ampadu.
Cooper’s contract at Elland Road ends at the end of the season, with reports suggesting he is unlikely to be granted a new term, and Sky Sports commentator Deane believes it would be the best option for all sides.
According to Football League World (7 March), he believes that if they succeed, they should realistically let him go and find a decent deal elsewhere, since they will need to refresh in that position. If they keep him, he won’t receive any game time.
“I know from personal experience that you can sit and be frustrated when you want to stay, but time passes on. He has been a fantastic servant to the club, but I am confident they will reach an arrangement.
“If they keep him, it’s because they think he will be a great leader for next season, but sometimes as a player, you have to start thinking about these things, and you need to be playing all the time.”
Will Liam Cooper depart Elland Road and Leeds United in the summer?
Most experts and supporters expected Cooper to be a fixture in Leeds’ backline this season after their relegation from the Premier League, but other players’ performances have moved him down the pecking order.
Rodon has been a revelation since signing on loan from Tottenham, while Struijk was one of Farke’s most impressive performances this season before suffering an injury that has kept him inactive in recent weeks.
Daniel Farke has put Leeds United on track to win promotion back to the Premier League this season.
Even though the Dutchman is still on the treatment table, Leeds United’s manager has decided to push Ampadu back into defence rather than restoring the 32-year-old to the starting lineup.
Cooper’s new contract could be contingent on the Whites’ promotion back to the Premier League this season, although it appears unlikely that the Scotsman will remain a Leeds player for long.
