There’s just two-and-a-half weeks to go until transfer deadline day and Leeds have a list of things to do in that time
The clock is ticking as Leeds United enter the final two and a half weeks of the summer transfer window with heaps of work still to do. It’s been a difficult summer so far for the Whites, who have lost a host of key names following their relegation from the Premier League.
Jack Harrison became the latest player to leave the club on Monday morning as he joined Everton on loan, while there is still uncertainty regarding the futures of Wilfried Gnonto, Luis Sinisterra and a number of others. Leeds have brought in four players so far, but Daniel Farke knows more reinforcements are needed and it could be an interesting end to the month of August.
Here’s a look at what Leeds still need to do before the September 1 deadline.
Find attacking edge
Leeds need to find a goalscoring forward to lead the line. Most were already aware of the club’s dearth of options up front, but Saturday’s miserable showing at St Andrew’s only served to hammer home that fact.
Joe Gelhardt was the man asked to play the lead striker role on Saturday but he struggled to make a dent on the contest as he cut a frustrated figure. Georginio Rutter made his return from injury in the second city but playing the lone frontman role doesn’t come naturally to him and while Patrick Bamford is on the comeback trail, his injury record makes it hard to think he can be fully relied upon.
As such, Leeds are in desperate need of a number nine, while a number 10 to bring it all together ought to be high on the club’s list of priorities, too. Crysencio Summerville and Ian Poveda have played that role in the league this season so far, but neither can be considered to be the specialist option United need if they’re to persist with the 4-2-3-1 formation.
Two, perhaps even three, attack-minded players are a must.
Fix up at the back
Leeds need attackers but they need to bolster their stock at the back, too, and scratch that left-back itch that is now a huge point of frustration. Sam Byram can play on the left and that seems to be the plan for the time being, but he’s a right-back by trade and his long-term future in this team might be there if the Whites can bolster their full-back options in the window.
Joe Rodon provides a degree of defensive depth, while Leo Hjelde can also play in the middle after struggling for confidence at left-back over the first week of the campaign. But, another centre-back wouldn’t go amiss alongside the left-back supporters have been crying out for for some time.
In the meantime, Farke will be keen to work with his current group to ensure the Whites can cut out the silly errors and begin to show a degree of reliability.
Resolve wantaway situation
Leeds United have been firm in their stance that Wilfried Gnonto will not be sold this summer but that hasn’t stopped the Italian from refusing to feature in the club’s last two games. Gnonto missed the clash with Shrewsbury and Saturday’s trip to St Andrew’s with supporters taking the opportunity to make their opinions heard during the latter clash.
Whether he’s to stick around or leave, the less-than-favourable situation needs ironing out as soon as possible in the name of squad harmony and morale. The same goes for Luis Sinisterra, who was deemed to be ‘unavailable’ on Saturday.
Both men have the ability to play key roles for the Whites in the Championship and even after this situation, it’s fair to say Farke would love to have them at his disposal.
Fill the loan quota
Rodon became Leeds’ first loan signing last week, leaving Tottenham to pen a temporary deal with the Whites and strengthen Farke’s options. He probably didn’t expect to make his debut off the bench on Saturday as a makeshift striker, but as time goes on he is expected to be a key man at Elland Road.
Leeds have space for four more loanees within their matchday squad and it makes sense that they fill that quota. A host of Premier League fringe and youth players will be made available in the final weeks of the window and that could provide Leeds with an easier, more cost-effective way of bagging what they so desperately need.
Secure Adams
Tyler Adams came within inches of joining Chelsea last week. The deal was all but done before the Blues pulled the plug and turned their full attention to the deals for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
Adams returned to Thorp Arch to continue his injury rehabilitation before the weekend but he is still being linked with moves elsewhere and even though he is a few weeks away from a return to action, it remains to be seen if he will stick around. The Whites will be doing all they can to keep hold of him, though, and it would be an enormous boost to the club’s hopes of promotion if he were to stick around beyond the transfer deadline.
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