"Needs to go down to League 1" - Leeds United & Sunderland warned over Bournemouth transfer pursuit | OneFootball

The former Sheffield United man is linked with a return to the Championship with Leeds United or Sunderland this summer

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Leeds United and Sunderland are said to be battling it out for a loan deal for former Sheffield United man Daniel Jebbison this summer.

That’s according to Graeme Bailey of HITC, who claims that the two Championship sides are interested in the frontman, who recently signed for Premier League outfit AFC Bournemouth after his contract at Bramall Lane came to an end.

The Blades were said to have offered the forward a new deal to stay in Yorkshire past this summer, but the England youth international turned it down for a move to the top flight Cherries.

The south coast side are now keen for their new arrival to get more minutes in his legs away from the club in the year to come, but despite Leeds and Sunderland’s interest, Football League World’sSheffield United fan pundit Owain Wyse doesn’t think that move would benefit him.

Daniel Jebbison, League One claim made after Sheffield United departure

Jebbison only made nine league starts for United during his time at the club, with the majority of his 29 appearances in the league coming off the bench, with just a single substitute appearance to his name in the previous campaign.

His lack of game time last term was due much to a mix of injury and illness, with a tough 18 months leaving him barely having played a competitive game in over a year.

In fact, the forward’s only real stretch in a first-team environment where he was playing regularly was at Burton Albion in the 2021/22 campaign, where he scored seven goals in 20 league matches for the Brewers in the third tier.

And despite interest from two Championship sides, Wyse believes a drop back down into the third tier could be what the frontman needs to rebuild his confidence at this point in his career.

The Blades fan told FLW: “I really can’t see Jebbison making any impact at Leeds or Sunderland next year, I don’t think he’s at that level yet.

“He’s clearly a very talented player and I do think he will go on to become a very good player, possibly playing at the top of the Championship or at the lower end of the Premier League in the future.

“At the minute, I think he needs to go down to League One to get minutes, in a division where he has already proven himself capable, with a loan spell at Burton.

“Since that loan, he’s never really been able to kick on with us, due to injuries effecting his playing time, so I think another loan to a top League One club - where he would do well - could massively help his development.”

Daniel Jebbison needs game-time to help prove himself after injury nightmare

Having had such a long time on the sidelines, Jebbison will be eager for minutes wherever he can get them in the upcoming campaign, but will also want to test himself at the highest level he possibly can.

After featuring in the top flight with the Blades as an 18-year-old, he knows exactly what it takes to perform with the very best, while his experience at England youth level is also testament to the quality he possesses.

The striker excelled in League One during his formative years, and will be looking to establish himself in the Championship this season, with his 21st birthday just around the corner.

While his career looks to have stagnated due to matters out of his control, there is still a quality player in there somewhere, and a move to either Leeds United or Sunderland would help give him the springboard he needs to reignite his career.

With the Black Cats’ recent focus on giving youthful players the stage to perform to their very best, the Stadium of Light could be the place where Jebbison rediscovers his form, although only time will tell in that regard.