Leeds United’s decision-makers may already be looking ahead to the January transfer window following their summer problems.
Daniel Farke finally knows how his Leeds United squad will look for the first half of the Championship season after a summer of twists and turns. The new owners, 49ers Enterprises, were unable to plan ahead for the summer and rushed to conclude their business, with five of Leeds’ nine summer acquisitions arriving in the final eight days of the window.
They’ll want to be better prepared for the winter market, and while a lot may happen between now and then, Leeds’ decision-makers may already have one eye on possible January business. Of course, any planning will be in its early phases, but over the next several weeks and months, targets will be defined to allow the club enter the window with some control.
At this early stage, here’s a look at what appears to be at the top of United’s January shopping list.
The number ten
This could be a problem position for Farke in the coming months, given Leeds’ decision not to sign an attacking midfielder in the summer. The Whites were linked to numerous choices, including Ilias Chair and Facundo Buonanotte, according to reports.
However, a clear option never presented itself, leaving Farke to experiment with a few improvised options. This season, the German has already asked Joel Piroe, Ian Poveda, Joe Gelhardt, and Crysencio Summerville to fill the job, and he has attacking possibilities.
However, he is lacks a natural attacking midfielder to play in the hole and influence offensive play, which isn’t ideal in his preferred 4-2-3-1 configuration. Of course, there is a potential that someone will get enough traction in the post to secure it and give the inventiveness that Leeds requires in the future.
However, it is evident that the Whites will be exploring their alternatives, and Farke may find himself looking at one or two potential targets as winter approaches and January approaches.
A left-handed defender
Another transfer window has passed without Leeds signing a natural left-back, and while Farke will be happy with his choices, it remains a source of anxiety for the Whites. Leeds did add Sam Byram on a free transfer this summer, and it’s safe to assume that he’ll start at left-back when he’s healthy.
The Thorp Arch academy graduate appears to be more than capable of executing a job there, and has done so for the majority of the season. He is, however, right-footed, and despite his versatility, he is undoubtedly more comfortable playing on the right side of defense.
Byram’s long injury history must be a concern as well, as he is presently recovering from a groin injury. Jamie Shackleton has done admirably in his absence. However, he is not a natural in the role, and while he is surely willing to fill in, he is a midfielder by trade.
Junior Firpo is still around, but there are doubts about his injury record and suitability following a rough couple of years at Elland Road, while Leo Hjelde has clearly struggled this season under Farke. It suggests that a specialist left-back is likely to be on the manager’s priority list as the window approaches.
Leeds has taken pleasure in their young recruitment in recent years. Although Victor Orta has left the club, the Whites’ philosophy of signing quality youth players with the goal of assisting them rise to the first team has not changed.
Leeds signed potential Scottish teenagers Lewis Pirie and Josh McDonald from Aberdeen and Hamilton, respectively, in summer, and more young talent might arrive in the winter window. Crysencio Summerville, Pascal Struijk, Archie Gray, Mateo Joseph, Darko Gyabi, Jamie Shackleton, and Charlie Cresswell are all instances of Leeds’ youth set-up’s strength, and the club must do everything it can to preserve and nurture that pipeline.
As a result, it would not be surprising to see Leeds chase one or two low-profile but promising young players.
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