Forget Djed Spence, Leeds United should swoop for cut-price Sheffield United deal: View | OneFootball

Leeds United have cancelled the loan of Djed Spence to return to his parent club, Tottenham Hotspur, potentially leaving them light at right-back for the second half of the campaign.

They have yet to sign someone, and haven't sold or loaned anyone yet, either; however, the Whites have instead opted to terminate the loan deal of the right-back, who arrived back in August from Spurs on a season-long loan.

Even though Leeds boss Daniel Farke has explained that was nothing major that led to Spence's exit from Elland Road, he did hint that the defender did not meet the standards that the team had set this season when it came to professionalism.

Speaking via The Yorkshire Evening Post, he said: "Listen, in the summer we came here in order to create and to bring new values and to create a new culture within the club and when we speak about a player if he's on here on a permanent or a loan deal, we have expectations and these expectations are in several topics important.

"Obviously, it's important, the potential and the quality of the player but also it's professionalism, it's discipline, it's workload on and off the pitch and also the soft skills, so also if he's positive and committed, good for the group and engaged with these topics, paint then more or less a picture.

"And we decided okay, this is the player we want in our group and want to represent Leeds United, our demands are very, very high and we don't differ between loan players, permanent players so we are pretty picky in this topic."

Spence came to West Yorkshire with enormous expectation, as he evidently looked like the club's best right-back on paper, and Leeds fans were hoping to see more impact than the seven appearances they received. Unfortunately, injury struck at a bad time for Spence, though.

He was only able to complete around 10 minutes of football in the early parts of the season, and, despite Luke Ayling, Sam Byram, and Jamie Shackleton all being capable of operating at right-back, none have the quality Spence has shown at this level before with Forest. Right-back has been a problem area for Leeds this season, too.

The 23-year-old would start for almost every side in the league and is a serious upgrade in terms of quality and speed on Leeds' alternative options. The Whites have had to deploy Archie Gray as their right-back this season, despite the fact he is a central-midfielder, and also in his first season as a professional at the age of just 17.

Spence's knee issue kept him out for 10 weeks, and he has not looked sharp on his return, even though it is clear that he is quicker and more physical than Gray, meaning his recovery speed to get back could have been more optimal tactically, with pace a particular area of concern within Leeds' backline.

Gray and others have operated fairly well there, but Spence had the potential to make the position his own and transform the dynamic on Leeds' right-hand side, and his departure will leave Leeds fans thinking about what could have been.

Leeds need an alternative full-back

Farke's system allows for one full-back to operate higher and wider up the flank, whilst the player on the opposing side will invert and tuck into a more central area. So far, the left-back has been used far more as the threat further forward, but Spence had hoped to be the answer to the right side eventually.

With him leaving, it leaves Leeds short of that option, but one player they should be casting an eye over is Sheffield United's Jayden Bogle. The 23-year-old profiles well for a right-back when compared with Spence. He is perhaps not quite as quick or dynamic but possesses many similar traits in terms of his propensity to attack.

Bogle has largely operated as a right-back or wing-back in his career, much like Spence, and has the speed and intensity to dominant a right flank. He has featured heavily in the Premier League, starting 14 of the Blades' 20 games this season, but is entering the final six months of his deal at Bramall Lane this month, and could be set for a move away whilst Sheffield United can still make some money back.

With his contract currently expiring this summer, Bogle can speak to foreign-based clubs in January about a summer pre-contract agreement, and domestic-based clubs could also be keen to strike a cut-price deal with Sheffield United's hand in negotiations weakened.

He would also come with a wealth of Championship experience, having played 118 times at second tier level for the likes of Derby County and Sheffield United, and could be available for a nominal fee if Leeds are keen to sign someone for cheaper than their market value at an affordable price.

It's surely a move that is one for Leeds to consider, with Bogle also winning promotion last season automatically with Sheffield United, which is the aim for Farke and co. this term.