This week, Leeds United reportedly brought in Francis Coquelin for a training session to evaluate whether the experienced midfielder could be a valuable addition to their depleted midfield.
Manager Daniel Farke mentioned that Leeds United are exploring free-agent options due to injuries affecting Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev. Recently, the club was linked with veteran Cheikhou Kouyaté from Nottingham Forest, but that transfer doesn’t seem likely to materialize.
Right now, Leeds United are depending on Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell as their sole senior midfield options. They showed they could hold their midfield during the match against Sheffield United. However, the limited depth in this position raises some concerns; if either player were to get injured, it would create a significant challenge for the team.
What player should be on Leeds’ radar in January?
Former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin has also been linked with a move back to Leeds United – Imago
Football League World’s Adam Elliott compiled a list of targets that Leeds should consider pursuing to help them in the final push for promotion. The piece notes that one area of need is, of course, the midfield, and finding that No. 10 for the starting 11.
Elliott notes that despite his age, Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri should be on their radar for the January window.
“Ethan Nwaneri is undoubtedly highly-regarded by Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, but he could solve some of Leeds’ problems and play more regularly in the process at Elland Road,” Elliott wrote.
“He has played very late on in a couple of Premier League games and secured a brace in the League Cup against Bolton Wanderers, but there are fewer guarantees of first-team football opportunities at the Emirates compared to a developmental Championship loans.
“A player who could operate as a central or attacking midfielder would be of huge benefit and his creativity and eye for goal as well as his link-up play could be the difference in the final third for Leeds.
“It would also help in providing Leeds and Farke with a different type of midfield profile. His creativity as more of a natural playmaker would be of huge benefit when breaking down teams sat deep and compact in a low block, which Leeds do not always have the answers for.”
Leeds United have also been linked with a Liverpool midfield which you can read about here.
