At the outset of the current season, Leeds United showed keen interest in acquiring Luke Thomas, the Leicester City left-back, but Thomas opted for a move to Sheffield United instead. As events have unfolded, Thomas might now be reflecting on whether Leeds would have been the better choice.
The 22-year-old defender, highly regarded for his skills, made the switch to Sheffield United on loan, looking to make an impact in the Premier League with the newly promoted team. Despite Leeds United’s apparent need for a left-back, Thomas was drawn to Sheffield for the promise of top-flight football. However, his stint with The Blades was short-lived; after just 13 appearances, his loan was terminated in January, and he found himself at Middlesbrough on another loan.
Joining Middlesbrough, managed by Michael Carrick, seemed like a significant move for Thomas, who participated in five out of six matches following his arrival, missing only the game against Leicester, his parent club. Yet, his performances for Boro have been underwhelming.
In a recent crucial match for Carrick’s team, aiming for a victory, Thomas found himself benched for the entire game. Meanwhile, his potential teammates at Leeds, led by Luke Ayling, secured a 3-1 comeback victory against Norwich at The Riverside, a match Thomas watched from the sidelines.
Having turned down Leeds, under the management of Daniel Farke and vying for automatic promotion, Thomas now faces the disappointment of being omitted from a Middlesbrough side languishing in 12th place with dwindling play-off aspirations.
Reflecting on his decision, Thomas might now harbor regrets about not joining Leeds, especially considering he could have been a primary choice given Junior Firpo’s injury issues at the start of the season.
As Thomas strives to reclaim his position in Boro’s lineup under Carrick, the upcoming summer transfer window looms as a pivotal moment for the defender, who earns £20k-a-week. It remains to be seen whether Leeds will maintain their interest in securing his services.
