Leeds United have a little over 10 days to do business in the summer transfer window
Leeds United are approaching the final 10 days of the summer transfer window with plenty of work still to do to ensure they’re capable of challenging at the top end of the Championship table. It promises to be a busy few days as the new ownership look to make their mark in the window and Leeds’ recruitment efforts might just go down to the wire.
With that in mind, Leeds Live take a look at the Whites’ current squad depth to determine what they are still in desperate need of.
Goalkeeper
Options: Illan Meslier, Karl Darlow, Kristoffer Klaesson, Dani van den Heuvel
Daniel Farke has spoken frequently about his belief that he’s all set between the sticks and it’s hard to disagree at present. Illan Meslier has been linked with a move away but he’s the club’s number one and he seems to be growing in confidence after last season’s struggles, while Karl Darlow looks to be an able deputy.
Read more: Leeds United transfer state of play amid Cameron Archer link, Gnonto request and Sinisterra
Defence
Options: Luke Ayling, Cody Drameh, Junior Firpo, Sam Byram, Leo Hjelde, Liam Cooper, Pascal Struijk, Charlie Cresswell, Joe Rodon, Stuart Dallas
Joe Rodon looks a strong signing for the Whites at centre-back and he joins a defensive unit that is probably one or two signings away from where Farke would like it to be. It’s clear that Leeds need a left-back in order to solve what has been a problem position for some time at Elland Road.
Junior Firpo has been unreliable at best since his arrival at Elland Road and while Sam Byram has taken the role on well this season, he’s better suited to playing on the right. A left-footed left-back ought to be high on the list, then, to finally bring some stability to the position and end what has been a frustrating long-term issue.
Midfield
Options: Ethan Ampadu, Archie Gray, Darko Gyabi, Jamie Shackleton, Lewis Bate, Sam Greenwood, Crysencio Summerville, Luis Sinisterra, Dan James, Ian Poveda, Wilfried Gnonto
There’s no doubt about it. Leeds could do with another experienced, quality centre-midfielder in order to fill the hole left by Tyler Adams’ departure. Ethan Ampadu and Archie Gray have built up a partnership worth sticking with in the middle of the park, but scratch beneath the surface and there seems to be a distinct lack of strength in depth.
Darko Gyabi has a bright future at the club but struggled against Shrewsbury Town earlier this month after stepping into the first-team fold under Farke and perhaps needs time. Shackleton and Bate do provide a little more experience but the former was deemed to be surplus to requirements last summer and the latter is yet to fully establish himself at Elland Road.
As such, a new defensive midfielder in the mould of Glen Kamara, who has been consistently linked to Elland Road from Rangers, certainly seems to make sense. A specialist attacking midfielder is desperately needed, too, in order to link play and drop in between the lines.
Farke will stick with the 4-2-3-1 system, which relies on a number 10, and he has utilised a number of players there already. None of them seem particularly suited to the role, though, and it’s clear that Leeds must look to add to their ranks in this position.
Sam Greenwood, recently back from injury, might get the chance to nail down that spot on Saturday at Ipswich Town and on paper he seems the most suited to it within the current group.
Out wide, it seems Leeds currently have all they need, but that could change depending on what happens with wantaway pair Wilfried Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra. The pair have refused to play in Leeds’ last two league games and while Leeds will be keen to keep hold of them, they are attracting interest.
Should either man leave, they will need replacing to ensure Leeds have the depth and attacking flair required to compete at the top. The re-emergence of Ian Poveda has helped but any exit would still leave the club short.
Attack
Options: Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter, Joe Gelhardt, Mateo Joseph, Sonny Perkins
A new striker simply has to be Leeds’ priority over the remaining 10 days of the window as Farke’s side look for the goals that will fire them towards the top end of the division. Georginio Rutter is the most senior fit forward at present and he struggled to carve out openings on his first Championship start on Friday night.
About The Author
Leave a Reply