All Leeds United late activity was insurance against Marcelo Bielsa and Crysencio Summerville
Leeds United only made late moves in the transfer window to guard against “danger” involving Marcelo Bielsa and Crysencio Summerville, reports Phil Hay.
After the club were rejected in their chase for Brenden Aaronson from Red Bull Salzburg the chances of a “deadline-beating signing” arriving ended, with all subsequent inquiries made in case the young Dutchman left on loan.
The reported approaches in the final days were only insurance for his potential departure, as the club did not know how the winger or the manager would react to the situation.
Writing in The Athletic, Hay says: “The danger, as Leeds saw it, was that if Summerville insisted on moving on loan, as Cody Drameh did, then Bielsa might quickly usher him out the door. In which case, the club would be another man down and under pressure to rustle up a replacement.
“They took a tentative look at Takumi Minamino of Liverpool and Chelsea’s newly back from loan Kenedy but stepped back again once the decision to retain Summerville was made.
“Only at Elland Road could the unwanted departure of an under-23s player yet to start a Premier League game potentially lead to the signing of a 36-cap Japan international with Liverpool and Red Bull Salzburg on his CV. Only at Leeds could Minamino be touted as cover for Summerville.”
Unique environment
Many Whites fans were left frustrated following the passing of the transfer deadline, as it seemed important for the club to strengthen.
An overwhelming injury list has left the squad short in many areas, and the club is sitting perilously close to the relegation zone.
Excitement came with the well-publicised chase for American midfielder Aaronson, but as that looked to become a fruitless endeavour attentions turned elsewhere.
When Liverpool signed Luis Diaz from Porto and their Japanese international became available it seemed like United might be bringing in an exciting new attacking option.
But to learn that they never intended to upgrade during the final week, and everything hinged on the potential loan exit of an underused wide option who probably should have been allowed to move on loan, will increase frustrations.
The manager’s insistence on keeping Summerville seems even more obtuse since he is not used and the alternative could have been a good option.
Bielsa trusts in his system, and the club largely trusts in him considering what he has done in his time at Elland Road, but with the season a disappointing mess and the risk still present of it getting worse, the news from the end of the window will not be much comfort.
In other Leeds United news, there is yet more concern in the injury department.