Matheus Pereira in action for West Brom in the Premier League. (imago Images)
According to a report by ESPN Brazil (h/t Leeds Live), Matheus Pereira is open to joining Leeds United this season despite the player’s desire of playing European football. The Whites are one of several clubs linked with the West Bromwich Albion winger but with an 11th-placed finish last season, will not be playing European football during the campaign.
Pereira was impressive for the Baggies last season but could not save them from relegation. The exciting Brazilian winger came through the youth ranks at Sporting CP. He was loaned out to Chaves, FC Nurnberg in Germany, and West Brom before the West Midlands-based side signed him permanently in 2020. But, is he a player that Marcelo Bielsa needs at Elland Road?
The Brazilian winger has largely played down the right-hand side throughout his career. Unfortunately for him, Leeds already have a quality Brazilian playing down that flank in Raphinha. But for Leeds, the most important thing about Pereira should be his ability to play in several positions, including as an attacking midfielder. In that regard, Leeds have a need for a number 10, at least on paper.
Currently, the club does not really have a natural No. 10 in their ranks. It’s not like Bielsa is averse to playing a formation that features that position. In fact, he did it a few times last season but had to switch players around due to a lack of better options. If Bielsa wants Pereira to play as an attacking midfielder at times, it would be a wise acquisition.
Coming back to the point mentioned above, Leeds saw winger Raphinha, central midfielder Mateusz Klich, centre-forward Rodrigo. So, if the Whites sign Pereira, he could be used as an option down the middle of their midfield line without Bielsa having to switch players here and there to accommodate a No. 10 position into his line-up.
Moreover, Pereira is a player adept at playing on either flank. Leeds recently signed Jack Harrison on a permanent deal from Manchester City to shore up their left flank. On the right-hand side, Raphinha presents himself as a first-choice winger while Helder Costa acts as an able backup. Ian Poveda and Jordan Stevens, however, are still young.
The duo, both ageing 21, lack Premier League experience. So, if Bielsa wants to rotate his squad, Pereira can be a good option to have in the dressing room. He can even compete with Harrison and Raphinha for starts, something that can motivate all the concerned players to up their game. Moreover, the condition around the deal also seems favourable.
The aforementioned report by ESPN Brazil (h/t Leeds Live) mentions that he would be open to a move to Leeds and has a desire to play in Europe. With such high ambitions, playing in the Championship might not be an ideal situation for him. With the player open to a move, there aren’t many things that should put off Leeds from going after the former Sporting man.
He is still just 25, which means he has enough experience in English football playing for the Baggies and also has a fair few years left in front of him where he can develop and become even better under the eyes of a managerial mastermind such as Marcelo Bielsa. But that would only be a possibility if the West Yorkshire-based side formalizes their interest in him, something which they should do without a second thought.
