Daniel Farke hands tied at Leeds United amid Saudi Arabian transfer worry – Sky Sports pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United …
Leeds United must continue recruitment at left-back this summer, but Daniel Farke’s “hands will be tied” in terms of player outgoings which will impact new signings, according to Paul Robinson.
Leeds have been productive this summer and prepared well for the Championships with incoming including permanent moves for Ethan Ampadu and Karl Darlow, while Joe Rodon joined on loan from Tottenham. However, their defence may need strengthening despite re-signing full-back Sam Byram.
More incomings are expected, but Leeds’ dealings will be impacted by any potential outgoings with Willy Gnonto’s future uncertain.
Robinson has claimed that, regardless of outgoings, Leeds United must strengthen at left-back, but notes the other mitigating circumstances may hinder the club’s future transfer activity.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “I think there’ll be more business to come. I mean, there are players there that we spoke about that you expected would potentially leave if they’re in the Championship.
“But they are light in certain areas. Left-back is an area that they’ve needed strengthening for a long time, regardless of whether Junior Firpo stays at the club or not. I strongly believe that that area does need strengthening and that’s something that I think the manager will look at.
“His hands will be tied a little bit as far as who is leaving the club and what funds he has available to him.
“But there’s still a way to go and it’s, it’s always the same. I don’t like the way that the window finishes once the season has already started like three weeks into the season.
“The problem that we’ve got this year is the Saudi Arabian window closes two weeks after our window closes, that’s something else to take into consideration.
“There’s always a time from when the season starts to when the window closes, that business will happen. From a Leeds point of view, I think because the takeover, the paperwork, et cetera took a little bit longer than was hoped, let’s say the managerial appointment was delayed.
“Then, until you’ve got those two things in line, the player recruitment obviously takes a back step because you haven’t got a sporting director, you haven’t got a manager or ownership.
“So you have to get all your ducks in a row first. Obviously, the player recruitment is probably two weeks behind where Leeds wanted to be.
“But, the realism is they’re in the Championship and players will leave and that they’ll sign players. Ampadu was a really good signing for Leeds and for the Championship and somebody like Joe Rodon, those types of players coming in will make Leeds better.”
In other Leeds United news, Oli McBurnie was blown away by his former teammate moving to Elland Road.