If you can’t find someone to put the ball in the back of the net, perhaps try and find someone that can put your strikers in a position to.
That seems to be the method that Marcelo Bielsa is taking with his latest January target.
According to a report in The Sun on Sunday (print edition, 26/1/20, page 61), Leeds United are on the trail of Sheffield United’s Luke Freeman as they look to solidify their attack ahead of the promotion charge in the second half of the season.
Whilst Leeds have been crying out for a better class of striker this season, with Patrick Bamford coming under intense scrutiny for his struggles in front of goal, perhaps some of it has been down to the service that they have been given, not being put in the best positions.
Well with Freeman, there wouldn’t be any doubt as to the kind of player you’d be getting, as assists appear to be his speciality somewhat. He has racked up 79 of them in 420 appearances including double-digit campaigns in 2014/15 and 2017/18.
And with injuries to current central attacking midfielders Tyler Roberts and Adam Forshaw, there is certainly a gap that needs to be filled in the team. With the rest of the squad seemingly set at their current positions and roles, there is just one more gap to be filled, and Freeman could be the one to do it.
Although he has played a multitude of positions throughout his career, the majority of them have come through the middle, so it’s a position that is natural to him, and would be a natural fit for Leeds United.
Although it might take a lot to convince the Blades to be willing to split up with him, given that they signed him for a club-record fee just last summer, so it will be interesting to see what kind of deal will be put in place if Leeds do decide to go after him in a serious manner.
Do we need to sign a midfielder this week?
Yes
No
And with just a few days to go until the window shuts, this seems like a deal that could go right down to the wire in terms of negotiations.