Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills believes that youngster Leif Davis should depart the Whites on loan this summer, even if it’s only for six months.
The Lowdown: Davis linked with Bournemouth move
The 21-year-old is regarded as one of the best young players at Elland Road and has been hailed as “a great player” by Marcelo Bielsa back in 2019, but he struggled to enjoy much game-time last season, appearing just twice as a substitute in the Premier League.
Davis has been linked with a summer loan move to Championship side Bournemouth in order to enjoy more minutes and aid his development.
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The Latest: Pundit urges youngster to leave
Speaking to Football Insider, Mills stated his belief that the young left-back should move elsewhere temporarily, but said that a return could be on the cards before the season is finished.
When asked if he expects Davis to go out on loan, the former Elland Road ace said:
“Yes, definitely. I would do it for six months, I would do it until the January transfer window in case Leeds need him. But if he’s doing well Leeds might want to recall him. That’s how I would look at it.
“Rather than going for the whole season. If it’s going well then brilliant, you can carry on.
“If you’re not playing as well as you’d like and you’re not playing as much football as you’d like then obviously you can come back and you can change that situation.”
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The Verdict: Good for his development
As long as Leeds have their left-back situation sorted in his absence, which they appear to have by signing Junior Firpo, it makes perfect sense for Davis to join Bournemouth or another club where he could get abundant game-time.
The experience he would get from playing regularly in a division as competitive as the Championship could be invaluable, helping him mature further as a player. Davis could then return in January or next summer as a more rounded footballer, pushing for regular starts for Leeds in the coming years, so Mills’ advice definitely seems sound.
In other news, Phil Hay has made a key claim over Leeds’ search for a left-back. Read more here.
