Leeds United notably failed to bring in another attacker before the summer transfer deadline, leaving Daniel Farke short on what he’d requested for weeks prior.
The international break gives Leeds ample time to reflect on what was ultimately a mixed transfer window, starting so brightly, only to end in really disappointing fashion after constant comments from Daniel Farke about what he needed.
Deadline day has routinely been a day for Leeds fans to put to the back of their minds, and Monday was no different.
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Leeds United’s attacker struggles laid bare with fresh insight from club sources – The Athletic
It was made clear that Leeds needed a new attacker or two after the signings of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor, but no such arrivals came despite frantic deadline day attempts for Fulham’s Harry Wilson.
Questions are rightly asked of how the club went from such ambitious plots for the likes of Wilson’s teammate Rodrigo Muniz, as well as more advanced discussions to sign Igor Paixao, who ended up at Marseille instead.
(REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw)
However, The Athletic have now shared insight into Leeds’ efforts to strengthen the side for this season’s survival battle, impressing for the most part up until the hurdle of reinforcing the attack.
“While the outcome was a steep learning curve for Evans, Underwood and Davies, they were encouraged by how quickly they were able to bring a deal of that size to a final 50-50 decision for the player,” Beren Cross wrote about the failed Paixao talks.
Beyond the Brazilian, Leeds’ attempts to bring in someone that would be seen as a noticeable improvement came up short, as the report continues:
“United sources knew the fans would not like to hear it, but they felt there were very few wingers, better than the likes of Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto, available to them in the window. As we now know, Okafor was the one they felt fit the bill.”
Could Leeds United not find a single viable winger option to start over Dan James or Willy Gnonto?
The winger pool that Leeds came into the Premier League with is better than most promoted teams – Dan James, Willy Gnonto, Largie Ramazani (now out on loan), and Jack Harrison.
However, Noah Okafor arriving shows that you can improve on what you’ve got without too much fuss, a deal that was wrapped up fairly quickly after interest first emerged.
On the right, we were desperate for a new signing, and the options dwindled in quality the longer the saga dragged on, which shows you the club’s struggles in finding someone viable.
But were there really no suitable options that would enhance our right wing more than James right now? I find it hard to believe.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!