Jonathan Woodgate hails ‘Rolls-Royce’ Leeds target Lloyd Kelly as quicker than Antoine Semenyo | OneFootball

Leeds United have made replacing Pascal Struijk a major summer task, and Jonathan Woodgate has already delivered a glowing verdict on Juventus defender Lloyd Kelly.

The decision to sell Struijk before his deal expired next summer brought pure Financial Fair Play profit, but it leaves a sizeable gap ahead of 2026-27. If a back three is used, centre-backs will be required, with Sebastiaan Bornauw a target for Koln and Kelly among those linked.

Woodgate is now on Michael Carrick’s staff at Manchester United, and previously managed Bournemouth, where he worked with Kelly after a £13m switch from Bristol City.

“I don’t see him being at Bournemouth long if he keeps on playing like this. He was brilliant. He can play very well at centre-half, and he can play very well at left-back.”

The comments were given to the Bournemouth Echo in 2021.

“He’s a really good player. He just looks like a bit of a Rolls-Royce, doesn’t he? Especially when Antoine Semenyo tried to run him down the line and Lloydy overtook him.”

Kelly made a surprise move from Newcastle to Juventus in the 2025 winter window, first on loan then permanently in the summer, and featured at the Club World Cup. Last season he played on the left of a back three.

Juventus are under no pressure to sell, but after missing the Champions League they may seek cash. They are said to value Kelly at about £26m, which would be Leeds’ third-biggest signing. Newcastle are also keen on bringing him back, while Forest are interested.

Source: Leedsunited.news