Burnley star could face familiar issue at Leeds United: View | OneFootball

Manuel Benson may struggle to start regularly at Elland Road - and it's an issue he currently faces at Turf Moor.

Key Takeaways

Manuel Benson deserves to be playing regularly after playing a big part in Burnley's 2022/23 promotion-winning campaign.

Coming in during the summer of 2022 for his first playing spell in England, it wouldn't have been a surprise if he had made a slow start to life at Turf Moor.

But he looked threatening pretty much straight away for the Clarets and proved to be a real game-changer throughout the season with his excellent shooting ability and his creativity.

The winger even scored the goal that won them the Championship title at fierce rival Blackburn Rovers.

Considering how well he did that season, it wouldn't have been a surprise to see the Angola international feature regularly last term.

However, Vincent Kompany didn't reward him with much game time in the Premier League and often left him out in favour of those that were signed during a high-spending window in the summer of 2023.

That created uncertainty regarding Benson's future - and although he wasn't loaned out or sold in January - a move can't be ruled out between now and the end of the summer transfer window.

Journalist Ben Jacobs, who has confirmed Leeds United's interest in the player, has revealed that the Clarets are willing to let him go and that the player is keen on a move to Elland Road.

He told Give Me Sport: "Burnley would sanction a sale which means that Leeds can be reasonably optimistic, and I'm told that the player would be keen on the move.

"The only thing - as we've also said before - that Leeds need to be conscious of is that if as expected, Jonathan Rowe goes to Marseille, Norwich could also enter the race.

"So Leeds will want to move fast on this one, knowing there's a deal to be had to make sure that there isn't a late hijack from Norwich in particular, who I would also expect to be in the mix for the player in the coming days if Jonathan Rowe departs in the coming days."

Other teams could potentially make a move for Benson, but considering the amount of money they have made from sales of key players this summer, they should be able to force some sides out of the race with their spending power.

And with the Clarets open to a permanent sale, it wouldn't be a shock to see the Whites come out on top in this race.

Manuel Benson may face familiar feeling if he secures Leeds United move

It's no surprise that Benson is open to a move away from Turf Moor because he hasn't won much game time in the past 12 months.

He has even been an unused substitute during the opening two league games of this season and although he could win more game time as the campaign progresses, he probably needs to move to a club that's going to guarantee him regular starts.

And a move to Elland Road could give him the opportunity to compete in a team that are likely to be in the promotion mix for much of the season, despite their underwhelming start to the 2024/25 season.

However, he may struggle to win much game time at Elland Road and this is the same issue that he has been facing at Turf Moor.

Crysencio Summerville has sealed a big-money exit this summer, Jack Harrison has re-joined Everton on loan and Jaidon Anthony may no longer be at the club following the end of his loan spell at Elland Road, but they still have some very decent options.

Willy Gnonto is a promising young player who is unlikely to come out of the first 11, as the Whites look to see him develop further before potentially selling him on for a sizeable fee in the future.

Dan James is also a great option to have, with the Welshman thriving for much of last term and also being one of the few Leeds players to shine in May's play-off final.

Not only do Leeds have those two options, but they are also set to welcome a winger to the club, with Largie Ramazani set to join in a £10.2m deal, according to the Daily Mail.

Considering they are spending a considerable amount on Ramazani, it would be difficult to not see him being heavily involved, and that will only reduce Benson's game time if he joins.

That's why the Clarets' winger needs to think carefully before potentially making a switch to Elland Road.