Leeds United told to sign Danilho Doekhi now with transfer ‘no brainer’
Danilho Doekhi could be the answer to Leeds’ defensive issues.
Daniel Farke has done an excellent job in LS11, although concerns remain over the depth available at Elland Road following a couple of injuries.
With just three clean sheets all season, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s fine form at the other end of the pitch has papered over some cracks at the back.
Leeds sit 16th in the table and eight points clear of the drop zone, and while they remain unbeaten in seven matches, a few more wins are needed before they can be fully safe from relegation.
Therefore, Leeds are planning to be active in the January transfer window, and Bundesliga expert Kevin Hatchard believes that Doekhi would be the ideal signing for Farke.
Danilho Doekhi is a perfect fit for Leeds
Leeds have been heavily linked with Doekhi in the last week, and although he has just six months left on his current deal, they might move in for him now at a much lower price.
He has spent the last four seasons with Union Berlin in the Bundesliga, helping them qualify for the Champions League with a fourth-placed finish in the 2022-23 campaign.
Hatchard believes that Doekhi would be a fantastic signing, citing his aerial presence as a huge bonus for Farke.
He said: “Only six months left on his deal, excellent in the air, set-piece threat, used to playing in a back three. Feels like a no-brainer to me.”
| Stat | Doekhi |
| Appearances | 15 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Aerial duels won | 70.9% |
| Ground duels won | 69.6% |
Leeds have been incredible from attacking set-pieces, scoring 14 times, with only Arsenal having a better record from dead-ball situations (15).
A player of Doekhi’s stature would be fantastic to add to the back line, and alongside Jaka Bijol, he could prove to be another formidable threat in the opposition box.
With 12 league goals since the start of 2022-23, the Dutch defender certainly has a knack for popping up in the right place at the right time.
His spell at Union has seen him play on the right of the back three, and he would have no problem adjusting to the physicality of the Premier League.
Leeds’ tactical change has left them with a lack of options in defence
At the start of the season, the Whites were playing with just two centre-backs, and they had adequate depth to contend with injuries.
However, the recent switch to the 3-5-2 has left Leeds with four natural centre-backs to cover three different positions.
With Joe Rodon suffering an injury against Sunderland and Sebastiaan Bornauw not up to full speed with game time, another option at the heart of defence wouldn’t go amiss.
If Leeds were to have five centre-backs in the squad, they could then comfortably cope with the intense demands of the schedule without feeling light in defence.
Adding Doekhi’s quality into the equation, it really does feel like a deal the Peacocks can’t afford to pass up on.
Let’s see if this one happens.