Danny Mills suggests novel way Leeds can keep Ben White next season

Ben White

Danny Mills has suggested a novel way for Leeds to try and convince Ben White to sign permanently this summer. 

The former Leeds star, speaking to Football Insider, joked that giving the on-loan Brighton man the club’s Player of the Year award might just do the trick.

Mills did admit, however, that it would be a “toss a coin” situation to pick between the centre-back and the outstanding Kalvin Phillips.

White is currently on a season-long loan at Elland Road and is attracting widespread interest from a number of Premier League clubs ahead of the summer, with Liverpool known to have shown a significant interest.

The centre-back, who has filled in as a defensive midfielder at times, has been instrumental in his 40 appearances so far this campaign – becoming one of the first names on Marcelo Bielsa’s team sheet.

And when asked who he thinks should be named the club’s Player of the Year, Mills told Football Insider: “It is Kalvin Phillips or Ben White. That is it. You could almost toss a coin.

“Kalvin Phillips is the best player in the Championship and Ben White is one of the best defenders. The argument would be – who would you miss most if they were not playing?

“It is a difficult conversation because Ben White was out for a length of time and he was a massive miss but so is Kalvin. They are equally as important as each other. The Player of the Season will undoubtedly be one of those two.

“It might come down to – do they want Ben White to sign next season? Let us just give it to him to make him feel good!”

Leeds’ hopes of signing White on a permanent deal will all depend on whether they can seal a return to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years.

Bielsa’s men currently sit top of the table, a point clear of West Brom and seven clear of third-placed Fulham.

Meanwhile, another former Leeds star in Paul Robinson has praised his old club’s mentality and believes the promotion line is within their sights. Read more…