Another potential Portsmouth what-if as summer target from Leeds makes dream Premier League debut against Manchester City

The Fratton faithful only know too well of how close Sean Longstaff came to joining Pompey.
Leeds' Leif Davis - a former Pompey target - battles Manchester City's Bernardo City for the ball. Picture: Paul Ellis/Getty ImagesLeeds' Leif Davis - a former Pompey target - battles Manchester City's Bernardo City for the ball. Picture: Paul Ellis/Getty Images
Leeds' Leif Davis - a former Pompey target - battles Manchester City's Bernardo City for the ball. Picture: Paul Ellis/Getty Images

The Blues had been impressed with Longstaff’s performances at Blackpool the previous campaign and Kenny Jackett was confident he’d improve the engine room – a problem position during his maiden year in the hot seat.

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Instead, then-Magpies boss Rafa Benitez opted to keep Longstaff at St James' Park after he caught the eye in pre-season.

And by the end of 2018-19, he was an established Premier League performer.

In total, Longstaff scored two goals in 16 appearances, which subsequently saw him linked with a multi-million pound move to Manchester United.

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Certainly, there were plenty of what-ifs had Longstaff instead made the switch to PO4, with Pompey narrowly missing out on promotion in 2018-19.

Leif Davis. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty ImagesLeif Davis. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Leif Davis. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

And now supporters will be hoping there's not a case of déjà vu this time around.

The Leeds defender was on Jackett’s shopping list, alongside the likes of Brighton's Alex Cochrane and Steve Seddon, who was so impressive on loan from Birmingham during the second half of last term.

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However, Pompey weren't the only club interested in Davis, with Championship outfit Stoke also reportedly keen.

Sean Longstaff, of Newcastle United, almost joined Pompey in 2018. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesSean Longstaff, of Newcastle United, almost joined Pompey in 2018. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Sean Longstaff, of Newcastle United, almost joined Pompey in 2018. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Jackett wanted another specialist left-sided defender through the door ahead of the start of the season, though.

The Blues boss opted to recruit Cam Pring on a season-long loan from Bristol City to compete with Lee Brown.

Davis, meanwhile, has been kept around at Elland Road for the start of Marco Bielsa's side's Premier League return.

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His first outing of the campaign arrived in a penalty shootout defeat to Hull City in the Carabao Cup.

And after being an unused substitute in Leeds' 1-0 defeat of Sheffield United, Davis was handed a surprise but dream Premier League debut last weekend.

The 20-year-old came off the bench to make his top-flight bow in Leeds’ thrilling 1-1 draw with title-challengers Manchester City.

Replacing Mateusz Klich in the 77th minute, Davis helped shore up Leeds' defence as they earned a point against the European superpowers of Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Co.

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An enthralling game for the 20-year-old to get a first taste of the Premier League and and he’ll be looking opportunities this term, no doubt.

The ever-reliable Stuart Dallas is currently first-choice left-back, although it appears Davis may have jumped ahead of Barry Douglas in the pecking order.

Only two days after his Premier League bow, Davis was spinning back down to earth.

The Newcastle-born ace was on duty for Leeds under-21s as they made the trip to the Lake District to draw 2-2 with Barrow in the EFL Trophy.

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Still, Davis will be hoping for more top-flight minutes after the international break when Leeds face Wolves.

Pompey fans will likely keep track of his progress, especially if he’s on our screen on Match of the Day every Saturday night.

Should that be the case, Davis could turn out to be another what-if to add to Longstaff.

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