Glen Kamara and Joel Pohjanpalo give Leeds United fans taste of what could have been after transfer news
Glen Kamara played 23 minutes for Finland as the Leeds United midfielder helped his national side to the top of Group H in Euro 2024 qualifying.
The latest midfield addition at Elland Road played an excellent pass into Benjamin Kallman to assist Oliver Antman to secure Finland’s 1-0 win over Kazakstan on Thursday (7 September), but he also featured alongside Joel Pohjanpalo during his short cameo.
Leeds United were linked with a move for the Finnish forward who played the full 90 minutes at Radu Marian Petrescu, with Pohjanpalo a target early in the window as Daniel Farke looked to strengthen his forward options [Corriere Del Vento, 7 August, page 12].
The 28-year-old has garnered interest from a host of Championship sides and a couple of teams in Italy, but ultimately ended up remaining in Serie B with Venezia throughout the summer while the Whites opted to sign Joel Piroe.
Pohjanpalo was his national side’s most creative player during the win over Kazakstan, laying on two chances for his teammates and completing five passes into the final third as Final tried to break down their aggressive opponent. He also used his big frame to dominate in the air, winning five aerial duels in the match and earning a 7.0 rating [Fotmob].
What may have been
For most Leeds fans there was only one Finnish international they were desperate to sign this summer, with Kamara a much more attractive proposition than his international teammate. But Finland’s win offered a small glimpse of what could have been at Elland Road had Pohjanpalo made the switch.
Whether or not the Venezia forward was ever close to making the switch in the summer, he seemed to link play well with all his teammates, but he didn’t put in the sort of performance that would have made Leeds fans wish they had bought him instead of Piroe.
While the Dutchman has had an up-and-down start to life at Elland Road, he has shown more than enough glimpses of quality to show that he can be the man to provide the goals that will see the Whites return to the Premier League.
Kamara on the other hand showed that there is magic in his boots, unlocking the Kazakstan defence with an excellent pass through the lines after less than 10 minutes on the pitch. It may take some time to get him back up to speed and ready to start matches considering he last started a game in June.
But when he does get match-ready and begins to be a regular member of Farke’s side, Leeds could have a very special talent on their hands.
In other Leeds United news, Wilfried Gnonto was eager to leave Elland Road up until the deadline according to one report