Another day, another player linked to Leeds that they don’t need.
Reports from Football Insider suggest that Leeds are going to once again chase Liverpool winger Ryan Kent. Kent spent last season on loan at Rangers, and there was some belief that he would go back there. However with Rangers supposedly stalling on the deal, it is rumoured that Leeds will now go back in for the 22-year-old.
It’s obvious to see why Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds are interested in Kent, his six goals and nine assists in the SPL last year would make him a fine addition to the squad. I just don’t really see why this is the area that Leeds are focusing on at this stage of the transfer window.
Leeds United have got their wingers for this season set with the likes of Jack Harrison, Jack Clarke, Helder Costa and after his goal against Western Sydney the other day, Pablo Hernandez can’t be overlooked when it comes to the odd appearance. Even the likes of Tyler Roberts can play there, having played as many games out wide as he did up top last year.
The Football Insider report states Ryan Kent can play anywhere across the front line, and whilst this may be true, I don’t think it would be a natural fit for either him or the club. Whilst Leeds predominantly operated in a 4-2-3-1 formation last year, you could force him into that number ten slot, but you would be literally forcing him into it. He played the majority of the games last year on the left-wing, and he’s only played as an attacking midfielder four times in his career.
With so many positions still up in the air, like centre back and to a lesser extent right back seriously needing addressing. Marcelo Bielsa’s insistence on prioritising the attack over the defence this summer has been baffling. Even his signings for the future have been predominantly attack-minded, with the moves for Rafa Mujica and Guillermo Amor.
Whilst it is reported that he is happy with what he’s got at the moment, there’s still a lot of fans who aren’t happy with the situation, and if Leeds start to struggle at any point in the upcoming season, they’ll have plenty of ammunition to point in Bielsa’s direction.