It’s been a miserable end to the season for Leeds United, but what positions need strengthening the most at Elland Road this summer?
When Paul Heckingbottom replaced Thomas Christiansen in February, the former Barnsley man was supposed to get Leeds’ playoff push back on track.
Fast forward a few months, and it now seems like the only thing separating Leeds from the clubs battling relegation is the points picked up when Christiansen was in charge.
Although some want him to stay, most fans are pretty sure Heckingbottom should go this summer. One thing is for sure – a major squad overhaul is needed.
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If you compare the Leeds squad to those of Wolves, Aston Villa or Fulham, they simply do not have the quality to compete for promotion.
Fans have often been critical of the club’s recruitment policy, which far too often sees young players brought in from inferior European leagues, so that of course needs to change.
Regardless of where the players come from though, which positions need the most reinforcements?
This one should be fairly obvious, Leeds simply do not have the quality in central midfield needed to compete with the best of the best. The Championship is a difficult, gruelling league, and there needs to be at least one experienced Championship head in the spine of the team. Adam Forshaw could fill this role if he is fully fit, but the former Middlesbrough man needs a new partner. Ronaldo Vieira is too young to count on for a full season, and Kalvin Phillips and Eunan O’Kane are simply not good enough. If Leeds are going to continue with their 4-2-3-1 formation, they must bring in a midfield partner for Adam Forshaw.
Once again, this comes down to the current side not having a spine. Pontus Jansson has shown flashes of brilliance since his move to Elland Road, but fans are tired of him disappearing when the going gets tough. Paudie O’Connor has impressed since his emergence, but cannot be expected to guide the team to promotion. Captain Liam Cooper has struggled for fitness, but was testing fans’ patience before his recent thigh injury anyway. All the teams pushing for automatic promotion have quality and composure in the heart of defence, and Leeds need to follow suit.
Are you sensing a theme here yet? Leeds have some quality flair players with the likes of Pablo Hernandez and Samuel Saiz, but simply put they are missing a backbone. Pierre-Michel Lasogga has looked slow and ponderous in the second half of the season, Caleb Ekuban is 24 and still hasn’t learned how to finish, and Jay-Roy Grot was certainly brought in for the long haul rather than the immediate future. It will be a difficult task in the transfer market, but Leeds cannot afford another season without a star number nine – they NEED a proven goalscorer this summer.
