Leeds United appear to have dodged a massive bullet with Sergino Dest.

The American right-back crashed out of the World Cup on Saturday as the USMNT were defeated 3-1 by one of the tournament's favourites in the Netherlands.

Once linked with a move to Elland Road, the 22-year-old struggled to combat the threat of Louis van Gaal's attacking options out wide, with is opposite number Daley Blind even getting on the scoresheet.

Indeed, reports suggested that the Whites were keen on the FC Barcelona ace during the most recent summer transfer window. Well, director of football Victor Orta can count his lucky stars tonight that he didn't sign him as he would have been Junior Firpo 2.0 in west Yorkshire.

The left-back was signed from the LaLiga giants and ever since then, has struggled to make much of a positive impact. Mirror journalist David Anderson has even described him as a "liability" who has provided very little in terms of ability. consistency and leadership.

Dest very much struggled to have any influence against the Dutch - highlighted by his disastrous 5.8 rating, which was the worst of anyone on the pitch.

It's perhaps little surprise to have seen him hooked 15 minutes from time and that won't have just been because the Stars and Stripes needed a goal. Also per Sofascore, the former Ajax gem managed just one successful dribble from six attempts, meaning he struggled to beat Blind and the Oranje backline whenever he got forward.

Meanwhile, he also lost 80% of his duels and handed possession back to the Netherlands with 14 of his 55 touches. Not only being wasteful but being hugely ineffective for his team overall. As per American filmmaker Barry Jenkins, they had Dest "in handcuffs" and he looked like he was "in the backyard playing against his big brothers."

Despite once described as a "big talent" by former Ajax teammate Quincy Promes, it's a rather telling sign that he cannot get game time at AC Milan, where he is currently out on loan, having garnered only 373 minutes from nine outings so far this season.

Only three players to have started in the Serie A for the defending champions this season have a worse average WhoScored rating.

As such, Orta and Leeds dodged a bullet by not signing Dest during the summer. Rasmus Kristensen, who manager Jesse Marsch pined for instead, has been a far greater option in the role.

AND in other news, Orta could seal a "really good signing" as Leeds plot move for £25m "absolute beast"...