Marcelo Bielsa has managed to take Leeds United back to the Premier League after the club's 16-year absence from the top flight (Getty Images)
Leeds United have started the new season in remarkable fashion. Despite failing to secure promotion to the Premier League the last term, Marcelo Bielsa’s men have surely started right where they left off.
With most of their players performing well, the Whites look a lot more balanced and confident when compared to the previous campaign. To be fair, they do not need to shell out a ton of money to sign new players once the transfer window commences in January.
However, they could do with reinforcing a couple of areas to ensure their fight for promotion does not fall flat once again.
Last season, they performed admirably throughout but as the season progressed, they somewhat lost their steam. And to ensure they do not repeat last year’s mistakes, here are 2 positions they must strengthen during the winter window.
With Kiko Casilla being charged with allegations of racially abusing Charlton Athletic’s Jonathan Leko, as per The Guardian, Bielsa would be wise to sign a goalkeeper in January.
It remains to be seen if he will be banned but if that happens, it would spell disaster for Leeds.
They do have an option in Illan Meslier, who has been impressing for the U23 side, but experience does matter. Furthermore, if they get promoted to the Premier League at the end of the season, it would not hurt to have another experienced goalkeeper at hand.
Kalvin Phillips is an undisputed rock in defensive midfield but if push comes to shove, Bielsa does not have many options to fall back on.
Adam Forshaw is out for the foreseeable future with a long-term injury. Even if he regains fitness soon, one cannot guarantee that he will hit the ground running upon getting reinstated to the team.
Alfie McCalmont played against Stoke City in the EFL Cup and while he put in a decent display, one cannot expect him to shoulder the burden of starting regularly for the first team. Thus, it would be better for Bielsa to find a solution to this problem.