(Credit: talkSPORT YouTube channel/Imago)
(Credit: talkSPORT YouTube channel/Imago)

Jeff Stelling spots glaring Leeds United issue that could force survival prediction rethink

Niall Togher

Niall is a lifelong Leeds United supporter who began reporting on MOT Leeds News in July 2025 after initially joining Breaking Media a month earlier. He graduated from Leeds Beckett University with a first class degree in Sports Journalism in 2024 and has covered Leeds for multiple other websites. After attending Elland Road for the first time as a youngster with United in League One, Niall hopes to see Leeds reclaim their spot in the Champions League and get back to competing for the Premier League.

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Leeds United's victory against Everton has left some onlookers concerned despite the positive result.

Lukas Nmecha's late penalty was enough to secure the three points for Daniel Farke's side, who picked up a valuable three points at Elland Road.

Leeds were, without a doubt, the better team for most of the game and almost always looked like the more likely side to take the lead.

The manner of Nmecha's winner against Everton may have been controversial, but the three points were fully deserved.

Despite this, Jeff Stelling was not fully convinced by what he saw from Leeds on their Premier League return.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke waving his hand
Farke's side began their Premier League campaign with a massive win (Credit: Imago)

Leeds need to find 'someone to put the ball in the back of the net', says Jeff Stelling

The 49ers have already brought two new strikers to West Yorkshire this summer in Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

  • Calvert-Lewin has been handed the number nine shirt at Leeds
  • This would suggest he has not just been brought in as a back-up option and is expected to be a regular starter under Farke
  • This is an extremely risky move given Calvert-Lewin's injury record and poor form over recent seasons

These two options, as well as Joel Piroe, would suggest that Leeds will not look to bring in another striker before the end of the window, considering that Farke only starts games with one up top.

Despite already having three players to lead the line, it seems as though Stelling feels they may need a fourth.

  • Leeds recorded an xG of 2.13 against David Moyes' side
  • United had 21 shots, with only three of those being on target

Speaking on talkSPORT on 20 August, Stelling said: “My predictions before the first game was that Sunderland and Leeds would stay up.

"But Leeds need to find someone to put the ball in the back of the net. I couldn’t see where goals were coming from [against Everton]."

Noah Okafor arrival will massively help Leeds

Whilst the likes of Willy Gnonto were lively against Everton, Leeds need to show more quality in the final third and score while they are in the ascendancy in games.

For the bulk of Leeds' games this season, like the upcoming away trip against Arsenal, they will be lucky to have even a spell of ten minutes when they are on top, never mind the 70 minutes or so they were in control against Everton.

During this time, Leeds must maximise their opportunities and the fact that their attack was that blunt shows an obvious need for new recruits to be brought in to bolster Farke's forward line.

The Elland Road faithful will hope that Noah Okafor could help, with the winger on the verge of joining the club.

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