Graham Smyth shares Leeds United transfer verdict ahead of January
Graham Smyth has shared his Leeds United verdict ahead of the January transfer window, suggesting the Whites may look to target a number 10 as well as a new left-back.
Daniel Farke’s side’s seven-game unbeaten run came to an end against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday (12 December) as they were beaten 1-0 by the Black Cats, thanks to Jobe Bellingham’s second-half strike.
Due to injuries to Sam Byram and Junior Firpo, Djed Spence was forced to deputise at left-back and while Smyth believes strengthening there will be a “necessity” in January, he has also tipped Leeds to sign a new playmaker.
Writing in the Yorkshire Evening Post (13 December) he said: “A left-back was already in Farke’s thinking before Byram and Firpo picked up coincidental but not altogether surprising injuries.
“No one could have turned a blind eye to their respective struggles with availability in recent seasons, and strengthening there was always going to be a possible January necessity.
“That would scratch one longstanding itch within what is a very good, strong squad of players at Elland Road. A number 10 would scratch another.”
Need options
Before a ball had been kicked this season, it was clear that Leeds United for all the attacking talent they possessed predominantly in the wide areas of the pitch, didn’t have an obvious number 10 in their ranks at Elland Road.
Sam Greenwood was one player who was more than capable of playing in that pocket behind a centre-forward, but Leeds opted to allow the 21-year-old to join Championship rivals Middlesbrough on loan for the season rather than keep him in Farke’s squad.
That has left Joel Piroe as the only option in that attacking midfield role and the Dutchman has proven to be very divisive in that position, with several pundits and supporters suggesting he would be better utilised as a genuine centre-forward.
As Smyth suggested, the priority for the Whites this January has to be securing a new left-back, as Farke is incredibly short of reliable options in that position. But just underneath that on the January shopping list has to be a new attacking midfielder.
The loan market can often be incredibly useful during the January transfer window and the Whites could well find the answer to the number 10 itch in a six-month loan deal to tide them over until the end of the campaign.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites could be set to lose “world-class” star Illan Meslier after his performance against Sunderland