Leeds United have been urged to sign reinforcements in their bid to win Premier League promotion.
Daniel Farke and his team were on the verge of making the Premier League last year, but fell to Southampton in the playoff final. The result was seen as a huge blow, as the Saints had less points and wins and even conceded more goals than the Whites.
The playoff final loss in May set off a chain of events in the summer. Premier League clubs swooped in and came to sign Leeds’ star players from the previous season. Brighton triggered a release clause to sign Georginio Rutter who provided 15 assists last season, West Ham picked up EFL Championship player of the Year Crysencio Summerville, and Tottenham signed Leeds’ Young player of the Year Archie Gray.
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Leeds United tipped to add major signing
Credit: Imago Images
Losing to Southampton cost Leeds even more, as Kalvin Phillips also decided against a return to Elland Road because his boyhood club failed to reach the Premier League. Daniel Farke missed out on a few key targets during the summer transfer window. Leeds failed in bids for Fabio Carvalho and Gustavo Hamer, but the German coach got his wish as Ao Tanaka arrived from Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Despite losing key players and missing out on priority transfer targets, Leeds United are still firmly in the promotion race. After 16 games, the club has 32 points and sit top of the table tied with Sunderland and Sheffield United. Leeds jumped to the top of the table as they capitalized on their rivals dropping points on Saturday.
This season, Leeds have scored 28 goals – the second highest tally in the league. But there are still issues in attack; they team seems to lack creativity, and most importantly, there is no established backup to Joel Piroe. In games where the striker has struggled, Leeds have found it difficult to get similar production off the bench. Leeds icon Dom Matteo has suggested that the club should sign a striker in January:
“A lot of Leeds people and the group that I’m involved in are saying that we just need an out-and-out striker. Someone to put the ball in the back of the net,” Matteo said on LUTV.
“I like Mateo Joseph and the players in that area, but I genuinely still believe we need a main striker. Pat has done well for us, but if we had a proper striker – another one – it would strengthen us so, so much.”
Do Leeds need another striker?
Leeds definitely need another player they can trust up top; Patrick Bamford is past his best and Joe Gelhardt looks on his way out of the club. Daniel Farke also needs another weapon when teams sit deep and frustrate his side. A new striker could have a huge effect on the team.
