In isolation, fine, but after starring there last season something hasn't gone right if he's going back again. https://twitter.com/NizaarKinsella/status/1317122961510379522

More time to expand on this, thinking aloud really, and wondering about wider perception. Jake is two weeks older than Ben White, and both impressed in the same league in 19-20. Similarish physical profiles, have both made their way up the football league on loan from PL clubs.

Jake's stats (generally speaking) show him to be better in the air and a more accurate passer; White is better in possession and a better 1v1 defender. Combined, they'd be a very very good player indeed. None of this is intended to denigrate White, who looks promising.

Left-sided CBs are always a commodity, but it's interesting that White got a PL shot and a lot of hype while Jake didn't. There's arguably not a whole lot between them but one played for a trendy manager and got promoted, and had an easier pathway to the next level.

A question we can't answer is how would Jake and Leeds have fared were he in that team last season, and where would he be now? Birmingham under Karanka are a vastly different prospect to Birmingham under last season's management, but it's still not quite the move we hoped for.

And it's all too easy to write Jake off for 'being overhyped' or some such nonsense like we always hear about Chelsea youngsters who do the rounds on loan. He's had serious injuries, he's had setbacks, and he's been learning. It's part of the process. His pedigree is undeniable.