Leeds United's Argentinian head coach Marcelo Bielsa gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Manchester City at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on October 3, 2020. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
It took 16 years but Leeds United are finally back in the Premier League. They introduced themselves in quite the fashion too, almost pushing the defending champions over the line, but ultimately failing at the last bit. Since then, they have won two games and drawn the other with Manchester City.
The Whites have been one of the most exciting teams to watch, with the iconic Marcelo Bielsa at the helm. Some good business has been conducted by the club such as bringing in the likes of Ilian Meslier, Robin Koch, Rodrigo Morero and Helder Costa.
It looks like the club have a decent squad to pull through this season but there is always scope for improvement. Below we will take a look at two positions they need to strengthen in January.
Jack Harrison is back from Manchester City for another loan spell with Leeds. However, he remains the only player in that position in the squad. This should be a very concerning fact for Bielsa despite his ability to use players in different positions.
The club have been trying to chase Daniel James of Manchester United but the Red Devils are not interested in letting the player leave (source – Express). Either way, Leeds need to make sure they try to sign a winger as Harrison is at the club on a temporary deal and will leave the club after the season.
While the team aren’t in dire need of central players, it is just good sense to have quality midfielders in the squad. They do have the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich and so on but they lack creative midfielders apart from the 35-year-old Pablo Hernandez.
A move for Bayern Munich’s Michael Cuisance fell through in the last stage (source – The Sun). That put a spanner in Bielsa’s plans but it shouldn’t worry him too much. He is a shrewd tactician and can work with whatever players he has got.
That does not mean the club should stop chasing midfield targets. The January window will open in a few months and a central midfielder with some creative attributes should be at the top of their priorities.
