Leeds United need to acquire Premier League level talent this summer, with survival the aim for Daniel Farke and co. at the first attempt.
With the 49ers at the helm, Leeds United will hope they can consolidate their place in the Premier League by acquitting themselves in a more sensible manner in the market than they did in their previous stint at the level.
The 49ers can pull other levers for Premier League headroom to make those signings, with Jaka Bijol the next to enter Elland Road after Lukas Nmecha’s arrival on Sunday.
Neither has much Premier League experience. Fortunately, Leeds have a lot of Premier League experience in their squad compared to Burnley and Sunderland already and can perhaps focus on adding to that further later in the window.
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Graham Smyth explains Leeds’ transfer strategy
Daniel Farke wants Premier League ready players, which is absolutely vital if they are to achieve survival and for Leeds to break the cycle of Premier League relegations immediately after promotion.
Being ruthless should be built on by a clear strategy in the market where Leeds could emulate other Premier League sides who have survived the drop and consolidated their place in recent years where others have not.
There is no time for sentiment and Leeds cannot afford to put too much faith in players who will simply not be good enough to start regularly next year. Making the Championship starters bench players will also raise the floor and ceiling of the team in equal measure.
Graham Smyth has detailed further in The Yorkshire Evening Post of the types of strategies being employed by the new-look recruitment team of Adam Underwood, Robbie Evans, and head of recruitment Alex Davies.
He says that transfer chiefs at Leeds plan to strengthen the core of Farke’s team “and have pinpointed physicality, in various senses, as key to this summer’s recruitment work.”
That could mean height or more aggression and athleticism in some areas. Smyth explained that Bijol’s frame fits the bill as they seek to be better at both defending and attacking set-pieces at both ends.
He also outlines that Habib Diarra – albeit less likely than other options on their midfield shortlist – is the right sort of profile in terms of “intensity with his ball-carrying and acceleration.” Smyth also states that Nmecha “also carries a big presence.”
Smyth explains that Leeds have drawn up shortlists for every position they wish to add to and, from a list of between five to 10 players that they like, “one or two will be highlighted as priority signings.”
But there are also players described as ‘reach’ targets who could make a real difference to the club’s survival battle but their availability and attainability is likely to be less certain, such is their quality. Diarra is seen as one of those types of player currently.
Keeping games tight can help underdogs like Leeds win more games in the Premier League
With the onus for Leeds clearly on physicality for the Premier League, as well as improving the technical base of the side, it seems Leeds are ticking the right boxes on the former already.
Leeds can and will lose games due to the quality discrepancy between themselves and their opposition. However, their ability to win duels and compete physically can make up for that somewhat.
Being a solid team with a sturdy foundation out of possession is what will keep Leeds up more so than having plenty of goals — even if both are needed. The above excerpt from a Leeds fan highlights as much.
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