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Sky Sports pundit issues Leeds United transfer verdict after 'fascinating' Nadiem Amiri update from Phil Hay
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 has rejected the need for Leeds United to go after Nadiem Amiri in January because he “isn’t playing”, even if they do decided to look at the number 10 position.
The Bayer Leverkusen man came close to a Whites switch in the summer before upsetting the club by pulling out at the last minute following a short-lived transfer saga, and Daniel Farke has subsequently used Joel Piroe as an attacking midfielder behind Georginio Rutter.
Phil Hay admitted it would be “fascinating” if the club went back in for German international Amiri after the player was reported earlier this month to have shunned the family influence that scuppered his Elland Road switch as he goes in search of a January move, but Sky Sports pundit Robinson is convinced there is “enough quality in the squad” to fill in without signing someone who’s been frozen out by Xabi Alonso.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News Robinson said: “Potentially they could look at that role because of the system that they play. The four at the back, the two holding midfielders and the three in behind Rutter.
“Piroe is a floating nine or a 10. The 10 seems to be Piroe. I think there’s enough quality in the squad to cover that role, should they need to, without going into the window.
“[Ilia] Gruev can play there, [Willy] Gnonto can play there, [Crysencio] Summerville can play there and Dan James can play there.
“They’re not out-and-out 10s, Dan James probably more than any of them, without the discipline of the defensive side of things, would probably excel in that role.
“I don’t think there’s a huge necessity to go into the market, especially for a player that’s not playing.”
While the Piroe-Rutter combination is part of a line-up which is getting results the suspicion that both might be even more effective in different positions is somewhat of a moot point.
There is arguably no alternative specialist number 10 in the squad as it stands and Farke clearly was interested enough in Amiri in the summer for the club to host him ahead of a proposed move.
If the price is right and the 27-year-old can rebuild the bridges he burned on the previous visit then stranger things have happened, even if it would be a risk to turn a player who had messed the club about quite badly the first time.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay reports that a Whites youngster has “no intention” of accepting a possible new contract offer from the club.