Phil Hay is one of the top names when it comes to reporting on Leeds United. As the transfer deadline approaches tonight (11pm), the Scotsman has weighed in on Leeds’ activity throughout the January transfer window in his latest column as part of The Athletic’s club-by-club transfer analysis.
Leeds have unquestionably been one of the busier clubs both in the Premier League and in Europe over the course of the January window. This month has seen the Whites secure the signatures of transfer record-breaker Georginio Rutter, defender Max Wober, USA midfield star Weston McKennie, and young defender Diogo Monteiro.
On the other side of things, beloved midfielder Mateusz Klich has departed for MLS side DC United, Diego Llorente looks set to complete a move to Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma and a number of young talents have secured loan departures until the end of the 2022-23 season, including the likes of Joe Gelhardt and Leo Hjelde.
While the window is open for another few more hours, you’d imagine that most of Leeds’ activity is complete, especially now that winger Jack Harrison has reportedly turned down a move to Premier League rivals Leicester City.
When speaking with The Athletic for their piece on Premier League clubs’ transfer activity, Phil Hay gave Leeds United an impressive grade out of 10 on their January window:
“It would have to be a very high score. Nine, probably”, Hay stated.
“They needed a forward, which they got in Rutter, and to look at their options before McKennie’s arrival, they needed more in the heart of midfield: Adam Forshaw has struggled with injury again this season and Sam Greenwood is often the first central midfielder off the bench. The American strengthens this squad significantly.”
Its hard to argue with him on that – Georginio Rutter will be a crucial option in the Leeds attack to push up the league table, and midfield depth had to have been a priority at the club, with Weston McKennie filling a vital gap. Both of these players, you would expect, will have a substantial impact on Jesse Marsch’s team selections as the season progresses.
One area of the field where Leeds have not recruited is the left back position; a position well-documented as a problem area for the Whites. Pascal Struijk has filled in at the left back position in the league this season, though he is more suitable to the centre of defence. New signing Max Wober looks really strong at centre back, so there may be hesitance to move him to the left side of the defence also. Hay notes this as one area where the club may have done better in the window:
“The only slight gripe is that if Wober plays as a left-sided centre-back, it remains to be seen whether Leeds can shore up the left-back role — a position which has been a problem for them.”
You’d tend to agree with the very high score for the club’s business this month. Some of the signings feel like very ambitious statements, and the investment in the squad has been significant. Hopefully things can click quickly and we can see Marsch’s side move up the table sooner rather than later, because on paper there is more than enough talent to avoid a relegation battle.
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I cannot understand why a left back hasn’t been the main priority.
Our problem has been letting in goals – we have scored plenty – and our left side has been repeatedly targeted. Struik has done very well for a CB standing in but he isn’t a natural left back and it shows. It is also unfair on his development to play this position when he should be rounding off his CB abilities.
Every Leeds supporter I speak to says the same and usually adds ‘if we can see it, so can every PL manager, how come our management can’t see that we’re so exposed there?’
Steve, how are things?
Its odd, I’m not sure what to make of it.
I was at the Brentford game and watching Wober in CB, I don’t want to see him moved out of there. He looked like a really good central defender.
Struijk has done his best for sure but just doesn’t make sense with the quality of wingers in the league. Not sure if he wants to try bring Firpo back into the first team but its been a very slow process if that’s the case.
Unlikely to see anyone come in as starting LB this late in the window, fingers crossed it doesn’t kill us. Cheers mate.