Leeds United handed 'Gareth Bale' warning for exciting Swansea City star

Leeds United will come up against an exciting Swansea City star who has been compared with Wales legend Gareth Bale when they return to Championship action next week.

The Whites will travel to South Wales to face Swansea in next Sunday's televised showdown, with Daniel Farke's men looking to keep the pressure up on league leader Sunderland and Sheffield United. Luke Williams' side have had a mixed season so far, although two recent wins over Oxford United and Watford hinted at better times ahead.

They signed off for the international break with a 1-0 defeat to Leeds' promotion rivals Burnley, but Williams took time out to praise full-back Josh Key ahead of next Sunday's game with the Whites. His attacking performances have impressed the Swansea boss and he admits he has something of former Tottenham and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale about him,

READ MORE: Leeds United loanee reaping 'confidence' benefits with goal run

READ MORE: Leeds United rivals make Championship table admission as 'main focus' revealed

"Josh is an exciting player," Williams said. "He’s supposed to be playing right-back but I don’t think anyone told Josh that. He looks to me like he’s enjoying his football but he’s concentrating. He's focused in the game, he's not out there playing like a free spirit.

"But he’s confident in his ability. He understands what he can and can’t do. I think he’s performing at a very high level and he’s a very exciting player to watch.

"He's like a Gareth Bale type. There was a period at Tottenham where Harry Redknapp forgot to tell him he was full-back and just told him he was in the team. He interpreted that as 'I'll just do whatever I want then', in a good way I mean of course. It's enjoyable to see Josh Key expressing himself in the way he has been and with the level of concentration and focus for the team."

Leeds comfortably won both fixtures against Swansea last term, recording an impressive 4-0 win at the Liberty Stadium last February after a 3-1 Elland Road victory in November 2023.