Leeds United are focused on securing automatic promotion to the Premier League but decisions are being made behind the scenes about their recruitment strategy in the summer. The Whites hope to carry out an overhaul of the squad if they get promoted, and moving on players will be as important as adding talent to the squad. The club will have decisions to make on several stars whose efforts have been the reason behind Leeds being in this position, but some of them would be deemed surplus to requirements. And one of those players, whose future at the club is under the scanner, has been one of the most consistent performers for Leeds this season.
The recruitment team at Leeds United deserve immense credit for the work they carried out last summer to ensure they had a squad ready to challenge for promotion again.
The team were gutted by the departures of three massive players following their playoff final loss and it would not have been surprising if Leeds had fallen off the course this season.
However, Daniel Farke and the recruitment team worked together and brought in players who have made a real impact this season and they are now on the cusp of earning automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Ao Tanaka, Manor Solomon and Jayden Bogle have been big players for Leeds this season and all of them arrived at the end of last season.
However, the loan arrival of Joe Rothwell from Bournemouth went under the radar and he has been one of the unsung heroes of Leeds this season.
Rothwell has been the experienced head in the heart of Leeds United chasing promotion
Not much attention was paid when Leeds secured a loan deal to sign the midfielder from Bournemouth in the last summer transfer window as fans focused on more eye-catching arrivals.
However, Rothwell has been one of the most important players in the squad this season, especially with Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev suffering injuries, which have kept them away from the pitch for lengthy periods of the season.
The midfielder has added calmness, class and precision passing to the Leeds midfield and his set-piece deliveries have won points this season.
He has been so good that there was a recent clamour for him to get reinstated in the midfield and he produced a superlative performance in the 2-0 win over Millwall at Elland Road on Wednesday night.
Farke has avoided starting Rothwell in away games but it would be a shock if he is not named in the eleven when Leeds take on QPR at Loftus Road on Saturday.
Rothwell has gradually emerged as a dependable player for Leeds this season and if they get promoted, he would have played a massive hand in getting them up.
However, debate is still raging over whether Leeds should try to sign him on a permanent deal in the summer if they are in the Premier League season.
For me, there is no debate.
Why Leeds should sign up Rothwell on a permanent contract?
Bournemouth deemed him surplus to requirements in the Premier League last season and were happy to loan out the player to Leeds in the summer transfer window.
Rothwell is a proven commodity in the Championship but there are doubts about whether he could step up to the plate in the top flight, given his record in the Premier League.
However, Leeds should still try to sign him on a permanent contract given Bournemouth are expected to accept offers in the region of £7m in the next window.
The Leeds squad will undergo an overhaul if they get promoted but some of the players deserve a chance to have a crack at the Premier League and Rothwell is one of them.
Can you name the season these 10 Leeds United shirts are from?
The 31-year-old is an experienced head that any dressing room would want to have and Leeds would need some continuity from this season in the Premier League.
Rothwell will also be a good option to have in the squad and he has already shown that he can positively impact games from the bench in the games against Sunderland and Sheffield United.
His set-piece delivery could be a real asset in the Premier League where quality balls inside the box could earn vital points for a team trying to survive.
Given how much Farke admires consistency, it would not be a surprise if Rothwell joins Leeds on a permanent deal if they get promoted.
