Pontus Jansson was a cult hero throughout his time at Elland Road. The Swedish defender initially joined on loan from Torino during Garry Monk's season at the club. He was a key part of the side that just missed out on a play-off spot that season and he joined permanently the next summer.
However, when Marcelo Bielsa became head coach in 2018/19, despite the fact that Jansson played regularly under the Argentine, he was said to have been a disruptive influence behind the scenes. When Leeds missed out on promotion to the Premier League that season, they needed to sell players in order to invest once again and go for promotion. As such, Jansson was a player sacrificed as Leeds recognised they could get a fee for the centre back.
The Whites subsequently won the Championship in 2019/20, whilst Jansson moved to Brentford, who finished third before losing the play-off final to Fulham. However, the Bees were successful in winning promotion at the next attempt, as Jansson captained them to victory over Swansea in the 2020/21 play-off final.
Read more: Pundit says intensity of Leeds United and Brentford rivalry will settle relegation battle
Leeds now prepare to face Jansson in a critical match. Whilst Brentford have a chance to finish in the top ten in their first ever Premier League season, the Whites have gone backwards in their second season back in the top flight and could suffer relegation at the Brentford Community Stadium. They currently hold a single point lead over 18th-placed Burnley, but could be in the bottom three before kick-off on Sunday, if the Clarets take a point in their game against Aston Villa on Thursday evening.
Since leaving Leeds, Jansson has often spoken about the club and it is clear that he still feels a strong affinity to the Whites. Here is a selection of quotes the Swede has made about the club since joining Brentford:
'Special'
Last time the two sides met the game ended in a 2-2 draw at Elland Road, as Patrick Bamford salvaged a late point for Leeds. Although disappointed by missing out on the win, Jansson stated that playing his old team was 'special' as he wrote on social media.
"Always special to play against your old teammates and It was emotional to see you all. Good game and even tho it’s hard now, a good point. We gave it all and fought until last second and I’m very proud over my team."
'Crazy big club'
Ahead of that fixture, the centre back addressed his move from Leeds to Brentford and spoke about his journey in his career thus far. He perhaps won't have impressed many at Brentford with these comments:
"Malmo is a massive club, and then I went to Italy to Torino, which is also a big, big club, and Leeds, crazy big club. You couldn’t almost walk into the city because everyone is a Leeds fan.
"And then you move here to a smaller club. I feel the difference now that we are in the Premier League, the interest in this club is much bigger than what it was in the Championship."
'Thankful to Bielsa'
When Brentford won the play-off final in 2021, the former Leeds man was keen to give credit to his ex-manager, stating that he had brought 'knowledge' with him to Brentford. The Brentford captain said: "I saw something in Brentford.
"And I’m so thankful to Bielsa and what he gave me at Leeds – he gave me so much knowledge that I actually brought in here to Brentford.
"And Brentford were so willing to listen to me and with my ideas – that I took from Bielsa! So I thank him a lot, because for me he is one of the best coaches in the world.
"And people think that me and his relationship is not the best, but it is. He’s very good. I am so thankful to him. And of course I love Brentford so much, but also say thanks to Bielsa and to Leeds."
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