Leeds kick off the 2019/20 Championship season away to Bristol City in two-and-a-half weeks, yet United Director of Football Victor Orta has conceded that we still only have 90 per cent of the squad he and Marcelo Bielsa would like, as quoted by Leeds Live.
Orta addressed the topic of our transfer business at an event held in Perth for supporters on Wednesday during our pre-season tour of Australia, where he also shared his confidence in deals being agreed with Kalvin Phillips and Kemar Roofe to retain the duo’s services.
As for the matter of bringing players to the club, Orta stated that he and Bielsa are mostly happy with the players on hand to the Argentine, but left some leeway for a final flurry into the market as the club are still open to the idea of investing in the backline.
“We are always open in the market, but now we are [at] 90 per cent of the [squad we want],” our Director of Football claimed.
“It’s always a decision of the club. We are in a situation that all of the decisions are totally co-ordinated between all the people within the club: [the] board, [the] Director of Football, [and the] head coach. It’s the best way to work.
“Ninety per cent is close [to perfection], but obviously it’s football. In life, the only thing I know is I am going to die. The rest, I am not sure of.”
A new centre-back may be needed, and some Whites supporters would argue that the position is the key transfer issue now given Pontus Jansson’s exit, while the club are also short in adequate first-team alternatives at full-back.
The attacking midfielder role is still mostly void following Samu Saiz’s sudden winter departure, although this position may be occupied by the arrival of Helder Costa, or Pablo Hernandez depending on how the boss decides to deploy our recently-acquired Portuguese winger.
Orta suggesting the squad is only at 90 per cent, though, has not been received overly well by these United fans…
The year is 2039, leeds are still trying to get out of the championship. Victor Orta is insistent that the Leeds manager is happy going into the season with a squad of 8 players pic.twitter.com/iEuNMye3Jb
— Anthony Hirschstein (@TonyHirschstein) July 17, 2019
Your at 90% of the squad you want, ????????????, id say you need another 90% additional players,,
— paul young (@wicketlufc) July 17, 2019
He’s on about selling. “We are always open to selling 90% of the squad during the market..”
— Marcelo B’s LUFC (@BillyKeville) July 17, 2019
Season starts 2 weeks on Sunday & Director of football admits 10% of squad still missing & are we close to getting anyone ? What happenend to getting players in early to gel ? Are they leaving 10% to t/f deadline day fo rPR purposes? #lufc
— Watt The (@WattThe2) July 17, 2019
So basically we sold Clarke and Pontus and aren’t going to spend any of it
— Mikey Murray (@mikeyLUFC94) July 17, 2019
I know I will die and that under Radrizzani we will never get promoted
— Marcelo B’s LUFC (@BillyKeville) July 17, 2019
If you are 90% nowthen we may as well give in now
— Chris King (@kipa170) July 17, 2019
That’s 1 more 23’s player then ????
— Billy Kneeshaw (@billy_kneeshaw) July 18, 2019
Well that means two players so just get on with it.
— dazrebo (@dazrebo) July 18, 2019
More like 90% more to recruit, waste of time even thinking about making a challenge to go up without serious investment ????
— Pablo (@paulhealy45) July 17, 2019
If we manage to sell someone else we will buy someone, if not this is the squad Bielsa will have to perform miracles with.
— Jack Hinchliff (@hinchliff_jack) July 17, 2019
Hopefully that means a CAM and CB in then. A playmaker and a rock for the back. Without those, this team isn’t getting promoted.
— Maxwello ???????? (@maxwellobielsa) July 17, 2019
Ridiculous that we are looking to only effectively add one player from last season if white is Janssons replacement. Clarke and harrison were here last year anyway. Need a centre back and striker at least
— Liam Rawlings (@lufc_liam) July 17, 2019
Hope not. We need reinforcements.
— Gary Senior (@senior_gary) July 17, 2019