With the recent announcement that Swedish defender Pontus Jansson would be leaving Leeds United for Brentford in a deal worth £5.5m, many Leeds United fans were quick to wish Jansson good luck at his new club. However, a lot of Leeds fans were not happy with the news given the wafer-thin depth the club currently have in centre back. The club has recently sold academy defender Aapo Halme to Barnsley as well as Jansson to Brentford, leaving Liam Cooper as the only senior centre back at the club.
When Leeds official Twitter account announced the move with a short statement, it was met with incredible uproar surrounding the decision to sell the Swede and not yet have a replacement ready. So far this summer the Yorkshire club have secured wingers Jack Harrison from Manchester City and Helder Costa from Wolves on loan, as well as young centre back Ben White from Brighton and Hove Albion. This has not stopped a lot of Leeds fans from pointing the finger over this painful break-up between player and club, with some blaming manager Marcelo Bielsa, and others pointing the finger at owner Andrea Radrizzani.
Here is the reaction to the club’s announcement:
???? | Swedish defender Pontus Jansson has today left Leeds United to join Brentford
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 8, 2019
Worst decision you’ve made in recent years @andrearadri , fans favourite! There best be a massive replacement coming in, PR disaster #lufc
— All Leeds Aren’t We (@LeedsNewsMOT) July 8, 2019
Horrible feeling someone thinks a shiny new kit is going to mask the fact our defence is so wafer thin that slim fast want the recipe. Struggling to see how we are stronger than last season, can only hope we make some big signings #lufc
— Smithy (@officiallysmith) July 8, 2019
Another loan incoming ! @andrearadri
Get Orta out of the club as well. 90% of his signing have been absolute dross.
— J-MO (@J_MO80) July 8, 2019
@PJansson5 is the closest thing we’ve had to a cult hero in recent years. He understood what it meant to be Leeds, and he’s played a big part in helping fans fall in love with the club again. He’s been great for us, and it’s a shame to see things end like this. Good luck to him.
— Oliver White (@OliWhiteMOT93) July 8, 2019
Embarrassing joke of a decision by this corrupt owner and dictatorial coach #lufc
— CM (@Chris_Moulds1) July 8, 2019
@PJansson5 Thanks for the memories jansson, absolute machine and will be missed by everyone. @andrearadri accepting that money for the best defender in the championship is criminal. Now stop this circus and offer Phillips the contract he deserves and while your at it buy a CB
— Liam Hart (@LiamHartLUFC) July 8, 2019
Classless statement. Where is Radz and Kinnear explaining this to the fans and reassuring us about a sufficient quality replacement?
— WeAllLoveLeeds (@AllLoveLeeds) July 9, 2019
Same old @andrearadri when will people understand he is asset stripping because he doesnt have the capital to take us forward. Give it 24 hours until he brings some positive PR out to deflect from selling our best defender for 5m to a promotion rival this season. Laughable #lufc
— STTOMODAD1988 (@sttomodad1988) July 8, 2019
Massive mistake.. You just sold one of our best players.. someone who understood the fans and was loved by us.. its over now but you must respond by making a signing which will replace him.. not easy on the money you accepted.. Mugged off #LUFC
— ROSSii (@MrROSSii1990) July 8, 2019