Leeds United centre-back Liam Cooper’s contract expires in the summer, and there is no sign that the club would renew it.
When the club was relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season, Liam Cooper’s dressing room comment went viral among Leeds fans.
It emphasized how the centre-back felt about the upcoming change, and while he hasn’t been a crucial member of the lineup this season, his impact has been critical, setting the tone on opening day with Leeds’ first goal of the season.
Liam Cooper is out of contract this summer.
Cooper, like a handful of others, has a contract that will expire in the summer when the season ends.
He turned down a Saudi Arabia offer to stay at Elland Road this season, thus the last year of his Leeds contract will be played out – his tenth at the club.
He currently has 14 league appearances, which would be his second-lowest total since joining Leeds in 2014.
Paul Robinson: It’s no surprise if Cooper wants to depart this summer.
Sky Sports analyst Paul Robinson told MOT Leeds News that Cooper’s decision to stay or leave Leeds will most likely be up to him.
A lack of playing time will have a huge impact on whether the Scotland international wants to stay beyond his tenth year at Elland Road.
Robinson said:
“I think it would mainly come down to the player’s personal preference; I believe he is a player the manager would like to keep around.
“I think he’s been a tremendous servant for the club; the way he’s performed in promotion seasons and in the Premier League, I believe he’s a talisman for the club.
“I believe he is the type of player the manager wants to maintain in the dressing room regardless of whether he plays him every week or not.
“I believe it will be determined by the players’ desire to participate on a regular basis.
“If you look at the guys Leeds have today, Rodon and Ampadu are the two centre-halves, and Pascal Struijk, when fit, may be ahead of Liam Cooper. However, as a Premier League team, you will play games throughout the season.
“It’s been difficult for him this season; he’s a guy who wants to play week after week, and he plays with rhythm, and when he plays regularly, he improves.
“I think it’s hard for a player like him to dip in and out of the side, so if he left I wouldn’t be surprised but on the flip side if he stayed I think he’s a player the manager would want.”
Cooper would be better off leaving Leeds this summer.
Cooper’s absence from Farke’s full-strength lineup has been evident, and at this point in his career, the 32-year-old will want to play.
Cooper is likely to have one more strong move in him at this level, and there will be a lot of clubs eager to sign him on a free agent basis.
Cooper would not play for us in the Premier League because he is only now playing in the Championship.
