Leeds United spent big in the last summer window, improving upon the first team. The Whites have gotten off to a great start this year and are unbeaten in the league.
They spent a lot of money adding a new goalkeeper, some depth to the defence and two wide forwards.
James Trafford arrived on a record fee and Tarik Muharemovic and Nico Elvedi have been very good additions to the first team.
However fans were concerned as to how there was a lack of speding in areas like the midfield and at centre forward. After the transfer deadline passed, Leeds managing director Robbie Evans spoke in length about the transfer window.
What Leeds United’s decision on midfield deal says about January window
Shea Charles
Credit: Imago
Leeds United planned to have a big summer and had key targets in mind at the start. They wanted to sign Shea Charles and free agent Julian Brandt, so the midfield was their focus.
Charles is a defensive midfielder who plays deep in midfield, while Brandt could also play as a number eight.
Getting improvements in defensive midfield and attacking midfield would have been great, but the Whites ended up with neither player. Brandt ended up going to Ajax, and Leeds walked away from a deal for Charles.
Southampton wanted more than the 49ers valued the Northern Ireland international.
Club chief Robbie Evans explained that a combination of factors led to them not pursuing a deal for the midfielder. Leeds’ financial parameters and their squad building ultimately dictated that a move for Charles was not ideal.
Evans also said that the club would ideally avoid January unless injury or an emergency situation comes about.
READ MORE: £15m Leeds star has three months to save his Elland Road career
What needs to change before a midfielder is priority
As things stand, Daniel Farke has Ampadu, Stach, Gruev and Tanaka as his midfield core. Brenden Aaronson can also play in the middle of the park when needed.
Leeds alternate between two and three midfielders depending on the shape before each game.
Sometimes three midfielders, and sometimes a double pivot behind the front three. So in essence, the club have five midfielders competing for three spots in most games.
| Player | Games Played | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Ethan Ampadu | 7 | 630 |
| Anton Stach | 7 | 494 |
| Ao Tanaka | 6 | 349 |
| Ilia Gruev | 0 | 0 |
| Sean Longstaff | 4 | 144 |
If the Whites are to pursue a midfielder in January, then availability and form will factor. The possibility of an exit could also change things.
Sean Longstaff has been linked with a move away, and Ilia Gruev is also in the final months of his deal. Which means either of them leaving could open the door for a move.
