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'Jan will be interesting' – Phil Hay makes Leeds transfer claim, name-checks £15k/wk PL defender
The thinking had previously been that Leeds United wouldn’t look to bring any players into the club in the January window.
However, that was before a mini-crisis this week that’s seen two of three senior centre-backs injured.
That’s meant Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas and Gjanni Alioski all being pulled into different positions. And it also brings into focus cover for Kalvin Phillips.
Hay claims that while Bielsa has said he won’t be bringing in a new centre-back, that a natural left-back and a midfielder would be “obvious” targets in January
He name-checked Tottenham’s £15k-a-week Ryan Sessegnon as a player who would fit the style of Bielsa and said it’s a shame that he’s already on loan with Hoffenheim.
Writing on The Athletic Hay said, “It’s right to say that in Bielsa’s time, Leeds have always been lacking a specialist left-back with the consistency to nail down that position.
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“Dallas has had some very good spells there but you always felt that eventually, they would need to recruit specifically for that zone.
“January will be interesting. Leeds won’t look to do too much but that and another midfielder would be obvious things to target (Bielsa has already ruled out the acquisition of another centre-back).
“It’s a shame that Sessegnon is on loan at Hoffenheim. There’s a lot about him which would suit Bielsa’s style.”
Midfielder the key
We know that Bielsa is resistant to the January window but we would like to see some activity.
Leeds have been weakened and while the squad is strong, there are now some glaring holes going into the winter.
Stuart Dallas has been doing a great job at left-back but that’s not his natural position and Gjanni Alioski can be exposed defensively.
More worrying to us is the big hole in the side if Kalvin Phillips is injured or suspended.
We’d love to see a midfielder brought in who can play that role and a left-back would be a welcome addition to the squad too.
Leeds and loans in January, though? They never seem to work out that well but there are players out there who will be match-fit and ready for a move.
Will Bielsa think that any of them are better than the options he’s got? Time will tell.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Intensity that Leeds bring’ – Alan Brazil & Trevor Sinclair predict Leeds clash v West Ham