Loads of Leeds United fans have been reacting on social media after The Athletic’s Phil Hay shared an update on Marcelo Bielsa’s chase for a new striker.
The club are back in the hunt for a new centre-forward after Arsenal recalled Eddie Nketiah, having not been satisfied at the amount of game time Bielsa had offered the England U21 international.
Bielsa awarded Nketiah only his second league start for the Whites when we faced West Bromwich Albion on New Year’s Day, but hauled the youngster off at the break for Patrick Bamford, leaving the Gunners product with just 500 minutes of Championship football to his name this season.
Why did Nketiah fail to establish himself with Leeds?
Different style
Not good enough
The boss and Director of Football Victor Orta will now analyse the situation of only having Bamford as a recognised senior striker, while seeing what options are available in the January window and whether they would face the same challenges to adapt that thwarted Nketiah.
Speaking after Wednesday’s draw with West Brom, via quotes by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Bielsa said: “We need to analyse also the physical level of the player who is coming, if he is playing or not, and if this player fits to our style or we need to make some adaptations.”
According to The Athletic’s Hay, Bielsa also offered some concern over Nketiah’s departure creating further issues for the club, as the Argentine feels it may now be more challenging to attract strikers to Elland Road given Bamford is the undisputed first-choice.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Hay’s update…
Getting no one 👍😣
— Matthew Carlyle (@MatthewCarlyle7) January 1, 2020
That’s Bowen not coming then, Phil? He’ll want to be starting. Unless we go two up top. I think Bamford is immense at holding a ball up and laying it off.
— Dan Waring (@DanWaring7) January 1, 2020
Bi the sound’s they need to take a gamble on someone like they did with Roofe.
Can’t see Che coming to sit on bench tbh.
— Benjamin Thornton (@BenjaminTlufc) January 1, 2020
Vydra is the man, can play number ten or striker
— David Hendry (@davidhen1) January 1, 2020
He’s right it’ll be hard but everybody knows that. How people think that means we’ll sign nobody is beyond me.
— J💙💛 (@J_lufc_3) January 1, 2020
Need someone more physical than Eddie imo. Edmundson could be the best option as he already knows the Bielsa way.
— Paul Robey (@pmrobey66) January 1, 2020
Well it’s up to them to prove they deserve to start ahead of Bamford
— ZL (@lufcZxch) January 1, 2020
Is Lee Chapman available? #lufc
— Steve Lawrence (@super_leeds70) January 1, 2020
Always worth recalling Sheff Utd had 4 strikers at the end of the jan transfer window last yr. A quality striker is a must. Not worried about Bamford’s form, more injury or suspension.
— WJ (@jessop_william) January 1, 2020
You’d like to think if you’re Che Adams for example, you’d have faith in your own ability and to push your way in. You’d also look at the style of Eddie and understand that was probably why he didn’t play much.
— Keiran Hickman (@Kasper_Sickman) January 1, 2020
Still think Glenn Murray at Brighton is a safe bet
— Noely Daniels (@noel33330) January 1, 2020
In other Leeds United news, the club’s rumoured plans to sign a £1.8m-rated striker have taken a dent following an update from his manager.