Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
that he felt he deserved more opportunities under Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa, and has no regrets at choosing to move to relegation-threatened Barnsley last summer.
Signed from HJK Helsinki in January 2018, 21-year-old Halme broke into the Leeds side on only five occasions – and ended up being more of a prominent member in the club’s Under-23 side. He failed to have a lasting impact on the Whites.
After a year under Bielsa, Halme chose not to have a second year of being fed scraps and switched Yorkshire clubs – by moving to newly-promoted Barnsley, who also boast Clarke Oduor and Alex Mowatt.
Asked if he has any regrets about a move from second-placed and promotion favourites Leeds to relegation candidates Barnsley, Halme believes he made the right move – before suggesting Bielsa should have given him more of a chance.
“Maybe I could have had more chances at Leeds. But then again, it is a big club and you have to be ready to play there (straightaway) as they are a club who are trying to get promoted to the Premier League,”
“It was realistic to come here and I think that being at a massive club helped me when I came here.”
TBR’s view – Should Leeds have done more to keep Halme?
Yes. Although Ben White has been an excellent signing from Brighton on loan this season, the Whites lack a recognised centre-back with first-team experience as back-up. Luke Ayling and Gaetano Berardi are naturally full-backs.
Having Halme would not have only added top-class cover at centre-back, he could have replaced Kalvin Phillips when the Leeds favourite has been suspended. Indeed, Halme has starred at the base of Barnsley’s midfield diamond at times.
Keeping Halme would have seen them keep a talented squad player with plenty of potential.
