Anthony Onifade

Sat 27 January 2024 19:40, UK

Leeds United owners 49ers Enterprises could be relinquishing their lofty ambitions at Elland Road if they don’t get their act together quickly in the January market.

The Whites are yet to bring in a January signing to bolster Daniel Farke’s squad ahead of a gruelling Championship promotion race in the second half of the season.

After their closely-fought 1-0 win over Norwich City on Wednesday (24 January), the Whites now find themselves just two points behind Ipswich Town in the automatic promotion place, although the Tractor Boys do have a game in hand.

There is a case to argue that Farke’s squad is still short in a number of positions at the club, ones which could well force them over the line in their bid to return to the Premier League.

Not only that but the club’s American owners do have some lofty ambitions at the club shown through their desire to turn the club into a state-of-the-art £1billion football club [The Athletic, 14 April 2023].

However, that can only happen further down the line if Leeds United are a Premier League entity and again, in order for the Whites to reach the Premier League promised land for next season, Farke may need some additions.

The right-back and forward positions are in need of strengthening and the Whites already have targets lined up in Burnley defender Connor Roberts (Mirror, 11 January) and winger Manuel Benson (Sacha Tavolieri, 18 January) as well as Bournemouth’s David Brooks (Phil Hay, 17 January) – players on the fringes of their respective squads.

Benson proved every bit a success for the Clarets last season as he enjoyed a tremendous campaign for Vincent Kompany’s men in their title-winning campaign, scoring 11 goals and registering three assists from 33 games.

Such a decisive and potent edge in front of goal could do Farke’s men the world of good, even if Gnonto is set to remain at Elland Road (HITC, 23 January).

Right now, Crycensio Summerville and Dan James remain the only real established and crucial options in attack and the Whites are already seeing those fears come to light with James suffering a blow against Norwich during the week.

The same can be said at full-back with Farke suffering several injury issues at both right-back and left-back. Archie Gray has proven a stellar round peg in a square hole at right-back but does need quality backup, especially with the youngster now nursing an injury, alongside James.

Roberts is an experienced and incredibly capable individual and it seems he won’t mind a step-down to the Championship to get some game time again, a player Leeds United must jump at the chance to acquire right now.

However, much has been made of the FFP situation at Elland Road, as is the case at many other top clubs across the country but those are issues which could be eased by the sales of some fringe players in Farke’s squad – and he already has a number of them.

Joe Gelhardt, Charlie Cresswell and Leo Hjelde have seen their developments and experience at the top level take a considerable hit given their limited opportunities at Elland Road and have all been linked with summer moves away.

If none of those players can be moved on by the club’s hierarchy then Leeds can very much give up all hope of adding to their squad which could yet derail their Premier League ambition.

The reluctance to get rid is understandable given their ages and potential but if they aren’t playing and not useful to Farke right now, they must be moved on.

We already have an idea of how much damage that could do to the £1billion 49ers’ hopes in West Yorkshire, it could all end up in smoke before it’s even got going.

Certainly, signing players are costly risks right now given the FFP situation but imagine the rewards reaped in the long haul, with Leeds United an established £1billion Premier League club, all because such risks were taken.

Something for the club hierarchy to ponder as the window draws to a close next week.

In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has shared whether Farke is about to cancel another loan deal early.

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