Noel Whelan has claimed that defender Liam Cooper deserves his new contract at Leeds United.
The centre-back has just entered his sixth campaign with the Yorkshire giants, now having made a total of 166 appearances in all competitions.
With the 28-year-old also gaining international recognition with Scotland, Premier League clubs have been linked with an approach for his services - a development which Whelan claims has led to Leeds making an effort to keep the player.
The former forward told Football Insider: "He's becoming an outstanding defender and I'm not surprised Leeds have given him a better contract. It's well deserved for a centre-back who's among the best in the Championship.
"He used to make too many mistakes, but he's got so much more consistent under [Marcelo] Bielsa. Every area of his game has improved, and the Scotland selection was well deserved as well.
"Is he good enough for the Premier League? Definitely. Will he be in the side if we go up next season? Definitely. Bielsa trusts him as his captain and first choice centre-back. He's been given the new deal because top Premier League clubs have been sniffing around him."
Cooper is now tied to Elland Road until the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
Darren Plant
