
Joe Rothwell has been one of the better signings for Leeds United in recent years. Signed from Bournemouth on loan last summer, the midfielder has been one of the stellar performers for Leeds this season. Following the injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev in October, Leeds were down to barebones in midfielder. But Rothwell and Ao Tanaka stepped up and formed a strong base for the team to flourish. The return of Gruev has made the competition for a place in the midfield fiercer and Rothwell now faces a fight for a place in the starting eleven. The midfielder is scheduled to return to Bournemouth at the end of the season and it remains to be seen whether Leeds try to sign him on a permanent deal in the summer.
Leeds signed Joe Rothwell last summer on loan from Bournemouth and he has been a top performer for the Whites as they chase promotion to the Premier League.
His first seven appearances in the Championship came from the bench but he has started 17 of Leeds’ last 18 league games and has been one of their most consistent players this season.
He has provided security in possession and calmness to the midfield and has made Leeds a more stable team with his presence in the middle of the park.
With Ao Tanaka, he has formed one of the best midfield partnerships in the Championship and he has looked as good with Ethan Ampadu in midfield in recent games.
Daniel Farke has decisions to make on his midfield make-up in the coming games but the club will have to take a call on whether to try and extend his stay at Leeds beyond the end of the current season.
Joe Rothwell future could depend on Leeds United’s promotion fate
Leeds sit at the summit of the Championship table and are firm favourites to get promoted to the Premier League at the end of the season.
Rothwell will end up playing a big role if Leeds are to reach the top flight of English football but there are question marks over his future beyond that.
For now, he is scheduled to return to Bournemouth at the end of the season and Leeds do not have an option to make the move permanent as per the loan agreement.
The midfielder has enjoyed his stay at Leeds and would prefer to continue at Elland Road but it is unclear what Leeds want with him in the summer.
A lot will depend on whether Leeds get promoted to the Premier League and the club will draw up plans for their recruitment accordingly in the next summer transfer window.
Rothwell will hope to continue to impress until the end of the season and give the club and Farke something to think about at the end of the season.
What will Leeds do?
Leeds’ recruitment will be driven by what happens at the end of the season. They will have two completely different shortlists of targets based on the division they are in.
If the unthinkable happens, Leeds are still in the Championship next season, they would want Rothwell back next season given the experience he would add to the squad.
However, it seems hard to imagine Leeds would want to sign Rothwell on a permanent deal if the Whites are preparing to be in the Premier League next season.
The Yorkshire giants would like to aim higher and bring in players who have the experience of playing in the Premier League and Rothwell might not make the cut.
The 30-year-old has 31 appearances in the Premier League and given his age, Leeds would want someone younger to be in the midfield if they are in the top flight next season.
Rothwell has been solid this season but Leeds are likely to outgrow him if they get promoted at the end of the campaign.
