Leeds United have been in the market for a creative attacking midfielder since the summer transfer window
After losing Georginio Rutter to Brighton, the club have failed to bring in a suitable replacement. The Frenchman provided 15 assists in the Championship last season, and his attacking partnership with Joel Piroe was phenomenal last season.
This year, Piroe has looked less than great, even after scoring six goals in the first 15 league games. The striker has had the tendency of going missing in games where Leeds can’t create for him, like in the Millwall game a few weeks ago.
Daniel Farke even mentioned the need for a player of that profile earlier this summer:
“It’s never easy when you perhaps don’t have this traditional number 10,” admitted Farke after the closure of the summer window. “But yeah, we decided as a club to go this way. If you don’t have it, then you need to work with other tools. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
The club tried to get Gustavo Hamer from Sheffield United but a move never materialized.
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Leeds United target maverick from France
Credit: Imago Images
Leeds have the third best attack in the league this season, and sit third in the Championship, two points behind Sheffield United and Sunderland. A trend has developed in games where Leeds have failed to win, they often find it difficult to create against teams who can defend.
The club have now been linked with Paris FC attacking midfielder Ilan Kebbal. Leeds reportedly lined up the player as a replacement for Georginio Rutter, but nothing went past the initial enquiry. Now it looks like the club could consider going back for him. Kebbal would be exactly what Daniel Farke wants from a creative number 10. The 26-year old would offer a completely different skillset from Brenden Aaronson, and could even play out wide.
Kebbal would be a great option in attack
The attacking midfielder has provided 18 league assists in his past two seasons in France. This campaign, he already has four goals for Paris FC. Leeds should definitely consider him; he would be available at a moderate price too.
Kebbal provides a different quality in attack that not all of the attackers in the club provide. He could definitely be in the mould of Georginio Rutter, another Frenchman who was key to Daniel Farke’s attack.
