There is a definite sense of frustration among Leeds United fans following the end of the summer transfer window, and likely is the case behind the scenes too.
Leeds United’s summer transfer window promised so much, delivered a lot, but not enough.
In the end, 10 new players signed for Leeds United who spent around £100million on those ten. But for Daniel Farke, a frustrating deadline day has cast a glum mood among fans who feel the squad is unprepared for the months ahead.
Mainly, Leeds United are lacking attackers. Ahead of deadline day, Farke says he wanted more attacking signings and whilst there were links to a number of players, they proved fleeting, with frustrations summed up by Leeds United’s failed late pursuit of Harry Wilson at Fulham.
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Jon Newsome makes Dominic Calvert-Lewin point at Leeds United
Farke now goes into this season, or at least in the first half until January, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lukas Nmecha, and Joel Piroe as his main options up front: a proven Premier League striker in Calvert-Lewin, but an injury-prone one, and two untried Premier League strikers in Nmecha and Piroe.
So Calvert-Lewin takes on a lot of pressure. Already though, it’s been tough. Calvert-Lewin had a nightmare debut for Leeds United against Sheffield Wednesday last month, missing a number of chances before blazing his penalty over the bar.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, former Leeds player and now pundit Jon Newsome gave his verdict on Calvert-Lewin, summing up perfectly the pressure he has on his shoulders after deadline day.
Newsome explained: “You bring in Dominic Calvert-Lewin who I think we all know is a very good footballer but we’ve got to keep him fit. If we can and he starts getting minutes and starts excelling that’s great, but I do think we need a little bit more back-up. So, I’m disappointed ultimately that they haven’t brought anyone in.”
Stuart Dallas might have explained why Leeds United struggled on deadline day
The pressure on Calvert-Lewin is immense. If he can’t find form soon, or if he picks up an injury, then it won’t be a great look for him or Farke, who will then be really up against it in the Premier League.
Speaking ahead of deadline day, former Leeds man Stuart Dallas said Leeds United needed more up front as well, saying: “This international break will do him the world of good, because he’ll work hard on his fitness throughout it.
“But I definitely think they need more. I know the club are working tirelessly to bring players in, but it has to be right.”
Dallas also then went on to explain how issues around PSR means that Leeds can’t simply go out and spend whatever they want on new signings.
He said: “Because of PSR and stuff, they can’t just go and spend so much money on one striker. They have to be clever about it; it’s a complicated situation.”
Nonetheless, Leeds had money to spend this summer, but they maybe went for quantity over quality with some of the signings. And then there’s the loan market which Farke didn’t utilise at all.
Leeds United return to action away at Fulham on September 13th.
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