Leeds United have announced the signing of Harry Wilson this week, and his arrival at the club spells trouble for others.
Daniel Farke insisted before last season finished that this summer could not be about standing still. The club have to build on what was a superb second half of the campaign.
So, the arrival of Harry Wilson is a statement of intent that ought to be followed by more of the same in the coming weeks.
Harry Wilson walks into Leeds United starting XI after stunning Fulham campaign
If someone said a couple of months ago that Leeds were signing a right-winger off the back of 10 goals and seven assists in the Premier League, you’d be expecting us to pay a club-record fee.
However, even if Wilson’s wage demands are lofty, to get him without paying a transfer fee is a tremendous coup.
Of course, the 29-year-old likely walks straight into Leeds’ starting XI off the right. Whether or not Farke retains his three-at-the-back setup remains to be seen, but in whichever formation, Wilson starts.
If we do stay in a 3-4-2-1 as most commonly seen from December onwards, Wilson probably takes Brenden Aaronson’s place. With Noah Okafor off the left, providing thrust on the touchline, Leeds now have a new dimension. Wilson is capable of drifting in off the right and allowing Jayden Bogle the chance to hold width.
The extra benefit of a wicked left-footed delivery should help Leeds in open play and from set-pieces too.
Dan James’ days could be numbered at Leeds United this summer
Wilson joining Leeds and likely coming as a starter here is bad news for others in United’s squad, though.
As mentioned above, I’d expect that Aaronson loses his previously strong grip on a starting berth. His effort levels are commendable, but the arrival of a more natural right-sided attacker pushes him out.
However, Dan James is someone I’d be concerned is coming to a natural end to his time at Leeds. He struggled badly last season to stay fit and build on his best career season when he helped fire us to the Championship title.
Last season, James missed 17 club fixtures through four separate injury absences. In that time, Farke didn’t really feel like he was ever missing the rapid winger in his squad, not using him often when he had returned to fitness.
The most alarming development was that James wasn’t really deployed high up the pitch in our 3-4-2-1 setup. Instead, he was more often used as a makeshift wing-back. It suggests that Farke doesn’t know where James fits in this new system.
Now that a seamlessly-fitting winger has joined the ranks, it pushes James further away from being a nailed starter. And, despite a four-year deal signed last summer, it leaves his days numbered at Elland Road.
At 28, he’s got loads of football left to play, but his chances of being a regular are slimming rapidly at Leeds.
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