Leeds United: Don Goodman urges Daniel Farke to strengthen one area in summer transfer window
Leeds United must look to strengthen their defence if they are promoted to the Premier League, according to Don Goodman.
The Whites are locked in a battle with Leicester City, Ipswich Town and outsiders Southampton for one of the two automatic spots.
Leeds have by far and away the best defensive record in the division this term, but Goodman believes they will need to add to what they have.
“They need that solid platform,” Goodman told MOT Leeds News. “Most of the teams that go up automatically tend to have the best defensive record, or certainly in the top three or four.
“Ipswich have been the outlier this season in every way. They have pretty much the same defence they had in League One and that tells in the number of goals they have conceded over the season.
“I think, off the top of my head, only Watford have finished in the top two – possibly Norwich as well – conceding that number of goals. It’s nearly in the 30s that teams who finish in the top two conceded.
“You’d be flabbergasted if Leeds’ goals against tally reaches 40 before the season ends. So investing in a defender and remaining solid, whatever league your in, is key.
“I often point this out that when a club moves from one level up to the next, defenders often struggle more than any other section of the team. They are up against forwards who are quicker, stronger, cleverer and more ruthless.
“It doesn’t matter what level, but you only have to look at the Premier League to see who has the three worst defences: Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton Town.
“Defences will struggle at the higher level. So it surprises me when teams don’t focus on recruiting and paying more money for the best defenders to give them a solid base when they go up.”
Leeds United summer transfer targets
Given Leeds are unsure what division they will be playing in next season, it is not straightforward to pick out possible transfer targets.
What is clear, though, is that the club would love to retain Joe Rodon once his Tottenham loan deal expires.
Even with Rodon still around next season if promotion is achieved, Daniel Farke will still want to bring in one or two other defenders.
The Rodon-Ampadu central-defensive partnership has been superb since the turn of the year, while Pascal Struijk is also due back.
As Goodman says, though, it is no good resting on your laurels once promoted. Teams often target £20million-plus attackers, but ignore defenders.
Leeds’ attack has also been very strong this campaign, but a prolific centre-forward aside, it is not exactly in need of overhauling.
For now, though, all focus has to be on getting to the Premier League with one final push over the next month.
In other Leeds United news, David Prutton has shared his scoreline prediction for the clash with Blackburn Rovers.
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