Leeds United defender poised for Caraboa Cup recall - Christiansen backs him to star

THOMAS CHRISTIANSEN has hinted that Tuesday's Carabao Cup clash at Leicester City could provide Pontus Jansson with the perfect platform to win his place back in the Leeds United side, writes LEE SOBOT.
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Centre-back Jansson admitted himself on social media that his recent form had been “sh*t” and the defender was dropped to the bench for Saturday’s 3-0 Championship victory at Bristol City.

Everton loanee Matthew Pennington instead partnered Liam Cooper at the heart of the defence as Leeds kept their first clean sheet in six games.

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But Christiansen has hinted that Jansson will start at centre back in Tuesday night’s last 16 cup clash at Leicester and that those selected for the outing at the King Power Stadium will have the perfect opportunity to stake a claim for keeping their place in the Whites side.

United's Pontus Jansson on the bench at Bristol City.United's Pontus Jansson on the bench at Bristol City.
United's Pontus Jansson on the bench at Bristol City.

Fourth-placed Leeds will end a busy week on Friday with a Championship clash at home to third-placed Sheffield United and the Whites will then welcome ninth-placed Derby County to Elland Road next Tuesday night.

Asked what Jansson would need to do in order to win his place back in the side, Christiansen reasoned: “We have a game on Tuesday and everyone in the first XI who will go out, have to prove that they have a possibility in the team to continue in the XI or jump in.

“It’s a beautiful game for them against a Premier League team to do it and the atmosphere will also be good.”

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Christiansen also admitted that he had not spoken to Jansson about demoting the Swede to the bench with the head coach insisting he did not need to.

Thomas ChristiansenThomas Christiansen
Thomas Christiansen

Speaking at Monday’s pre-Leicester press conference, Christiansen was asked if he had spoken to Jansson about being dropped and said: “No. I don’t have to tell them either when they play that they will play.

“If they are not playing it’s because there is a reason behind that, it can be a tactical or technical reason.

“If the players want to speak then my door is always open but sometimes I come to the player and tell them why because I want the best for them and if they get the reason why they are not playing then it’s easier for them to understand and for them to work on that.”