Leeds United may need to step up their pursuit of Bilal El Khannouss after his dominant Championship display at the weekend.
The Leicester midfielder El Khannouss has been attracting the attention of Leeds United for some weeks now, with a meeting being held between Leeds and El Khannouss’ camp, in which Leeds informed his agents they would pay the £24.5m clause in his deal.
Some time has passed since said meeting, and nothing has yet materialised. However, Graham Smyth has confirmed El Khannouss would be keen on a move to Leeds.
So what was so important about El Khannouss’s display at the weekend? And what does it mean for Leeds?
Bilal El Khannouss of Leicester City.
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Bilal El Khannouss produced more key passes than any other Championship player
Despite the Foxes ultimately losing 2 – 1 to Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds United target Bilal El Khannouss put on a truly dominant display.
The 21-year-old completed more final third passes than any other player in the Championship this weekend, 33 in total.
That’s more than Sheffield United’s Gustavo Hamer, fellow Leicester player Jannik Vestergaard and Blackburn’s Sondre Tronstad.
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El Khannouss also created the most chances in the match, four to be precise. He played a full 90 minutes, produced two assists and had 85 touches.
After this stellar display, the Leeds United fans will be hoping this is the message Leeds United need to finalise El Khannouss’ move.
Daniel Farke leeds United manager.
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How Bilal El Khannouss could fit in at Leeds United
Bilal El Khannouss, an attacking midfielder who can also play as a winger, could be a key player for Leeds United and fill a position Daniel Farke has been looking to reinforce.
Farke has openly stated Leeds need reinforcement in offensive positions, including a number 10 and a winger.
While he can play on the wing, his primary position is an attacking midfielder, the exact reinforcement the Yorkshire side need.
El Khannouss, a player praised for his technical ability, vision, and creativity, would fit into Daniel Farke’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
He would likely challenge Brenden Aaronson for the “number 10” role behind striker Joel Piroe. His versatility also allows him to play as an inverted left winger, a position where Leeds lost Manor Solomon and now have Largie Ramazani as the only outright option.
El Khannouss’s presence would offer a blend of youth and technical talent to a midfield that already includes new signings Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach.