MOT Leeds News speaking to Paul Robinson

Fri 3 June 2022 7:10, UK

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...

Paul Robinson wants to see Leeds United sign new players this summer who’ll slot straight into Jesse Marsch’s starting line-up at Elland Road.

Leeds have already signed Brenden Aaronson from Red Bull Salzburg and look as though they’re set to raid the Austrians again with personal terms agreed to sign right-back Rasmus Kristensen [Telegraph].

Coventry City midfielder Gustavo Hamer has also been linked with a move to Elland Road with SussexLive reporting on 29 May that the Dutch-born Brazilian is being monitored by Leeds and Brighton.

It is understood that Hamer could be interested in a move to the Premier League this summer after an impressive 2021/22 campaign with Coventry in the Championship.

However, Robinson wants Leeds to only focus on improving Jesse Marsch’s starting line-up this summer with players they’re sure will be up for the task.

“Leeds need players who can make an impact on the starting line-up,” said Robinson to MOT Leeds News when asked about the Hamer links.

“We’ve seen how thread-bare the squad has been this season and they haven’t got time to wait for players – they need players who’ll hit the ground running.

“Leeds only just stayed in the Premier League this year; they scraped by with the squad they had. They need players who can make an impact on the starting 11 and make an impact on the squad.

“Shopping around the lower leagues to get talent is all well and good for the future. But Leeds need signings who’ll hit the ground running at the start of the season. They need an immediate impact.

“It’s great to build for the future, Mark Jackson is doing a great job with the Under-23s. But their main focus needs to be on next season and staying in the Premier League again. Leeds need tried and tested players to do that.”

Hamer played 39 times in the Championship for Coventry this season, scoring three goals and supplying 10 assists.

He’s a set-piece specialist and while stats by transfermarkt show he’s mainly a deep-lying midfielder, Coventry Telegraph journalist Andy Turner has said that the Brazilian is “also an attacking force who can drive forward with the ball, pick out a killer pass and improvise within sight of the goal”.

Turner added that “it has been speculated that he’s worth around the £9million-£10million mark”.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites reportedly want to sign this promotion-winning South American forward who could replace Raphinha.