Leeds United will be fighting to win the Championship or finish in second place for automatic promotion to the Premier League next season. As a result, one former player backs The Whites going into the free agent market to bolster their squad for this season.
After losing the Championship Play-off Final last season, Daniel Farke and his team probably want to avoid finishing between third and sixth pace this season.
Nonetheless, through four matches, Sunderland, West Bromwich, and Watford show that they are a serious threat to Leeds for automatic promotion. Moreover, Blackburn Rovers and Burnley are right behind Leeds in the standings, so this race to finish in the top two spots could come down to the slight margins.
Could Leeds look at a free agent?
If the race remains close like this all season, an injury or poor performance from certain players could cause one club to miss out on automatic promotion.
The question for Leeds is whether they have the depth to withstand an injury or rely on another player should one have a string of poor performances. The Whites could bolster their center-back position with only Pascal Struijk, Joe Rodon, and Max Wober having major experience.
Joel Matip, John Egan, and James Tomkins are among the experienced central defenders currently without a club. Farke might want to add a veteran for more depth to help The Whites in what is looking to be a tight race this season in the Championship.
Former midfielder Daniel Norris spoke with MOT Leeds News, and he backs Leeds to enter the free-agent market to bolster the squad even more before the January window.
“Initially, I didn’t think the club would pursue any free agents – but it never usually comes as planned,” Norris said. “If there’s the right player for them, then I’d back them to go and do it.
“There are a few good players out there, but then it’s a question of fitness and how they’d fit into the team. With the quality that remains out there at the moment and with Leeds missing out on a few targets and needing numbers, I would, in fact, say yes.”
