Leeds United take ‘big risk’ as Deadline Day surprise emerges
Leeds United risk going down to the “barebones” after not making a single addition in the winter transfer window, Jon Newsome has said.
Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds (3 February, 11:15pm), Newsome said he was “surprised” that the Whites didn’t strengthen Daniel Farke’s squad as the window closed, arguing the importance of promotion.
Possible additions at centre-back, attacking midfield and centre-forward were all mooted at various points of the window, and Newsome was worried that any injuries could leave Farke massively exposed.
He said: “I’m a bit surprised in all honesty. I do know that they have been looking, in two or three positions to bring people in – I think they’re a little bit short in a couple of places.
“It’s so, so important that Leeds United get promotion this season. You’ve only got to have a really bad week – [like] when Ampadu and Gruev both got injured in the same week.
“If that happens to a couple of the players in the forward line, you are down to your barebones, and I think that’s a big risk.”
Leeds United could pay price for transfer window sluggishness
The 11pm deadline on Monday coming and going means that for the Peacocks and the other 23 teams they’re competing with in the Championship, there’s no more time for player trading until the summer.
That leaves no more wriggle room for United ahead of the final 16 games of the season, and compared to the teams they’re in direct competition for promotion with, their transfer activity has been miniscule.
Sheffield United, for example, only sit two points behind the Whites in second place (thanks only to a points deduction), yet the Blades have seen fit to make seven additions across the winter window.
Sunderland and Burnley also made some headline signings before 3 February, and the chasing pack all strengthening while Leeds stand still could set a worrying precedent for the remainder of the campaign.
United slipping up due to injuries or widespread losses of form could quickly see them overtaken, and if promotion is missed out on again, the past few weeks of inactivity will be seen as the root cause of their failure.
In other Leeds news, the Whites have made a “massive loss” on one player whose exit was confirmed in the last few days.
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