Daniel Farke has shown his tactical fluidity at Leeds across the last week with impressive results.
The German, under pressure after four consecutive defeats using a 4-2-3-1 formation, switched to a 3-5-2 for the visit of Chelsea last week to mastermind a 3-1 win.
Starting with that same system before smartly reverting to a 4-2-3-1 during the game, the Leeds boss then secured a 3-3 draw against Liverpool having trailed 2-0.
While Daniel Farke is clearly quite comfortable when it comes to using different systems, not every player can do this – although Leeds can get themselves a highly versatile option who should be able to adjust to these shapes in Josh Mulligan.
Leeds United can sign the perfect utility player in Josh Mulligan
The Daily Mail believe Leeds have approached Hibernian to ask what it would take to sign the Scotland U21 international – who Nottingham Forest are also keen on.
Which player would you be happy for Leeds to sell in January to fund their transfer business? Let us know in the comments… 🤔💰
The likes of Joel Piroe and Willy Gnonto are struggling to force their way into Farke's plans.
If Leeds can get a deal over the line, it would be hugely exciting for several reasons.
For a start, Mulligan is incredibly versatile, and should be able to adapt to whatever shape Farke opts to use, as aforesaid. The Hibernian No.20 has previously played 49 games as a right wing-back and made 32 appearances as a flat central midfielder.
The 23-year-old has also appeared as a central attacking midfielder and a defensive midfielder, even playing centre-back, left wing-back and as a striker during his career so far.
| Position | Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Midfield | 49 | 4 | 7 |
| Central Midfield | 32 | 2 | 0 |
| Right-Back | 19 | 2 | 4 |
| Defensive Midfield | 13 | 1 | 1 |
| Attacking Midfield | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| Striker | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Left Midfield | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Centre-Back | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Right Wing | 2 | 0 | 0 |
It means Farke should be able to use Mulligan as a traditional utility player if a deal materialises, one who can slot into any area depending on whether a 3-5-2 or a 4-2-3-1 is used.
Daniel Farke can get his own Gareth Bale at Leeds United
While Mulligan has played most of his football in a defensive midfield role so far this season, he could have a bright future on the flank for Leeds having previously been compared to Gareth Bale.
Should Leeds follow Nottingham Forest’s path and risk a points deduction? 💸
“This summer, we spent everything we could. Unequivocally, we are maxing PSR out this season. If we had gone on to other targets [on deadline day], the consequences would have been seen in the current roster. More key players from last season would have had to go.”
Robbie Evans on Leeds United’s PSR position
It was Simon Ferry – his old teammate at Peterhead – who made the comparison, and the Leeds target even spoke to The Herald about it in September.
Mulligan said: “That was really nice of him to say that, but you don’t think about it too much, because if you start thinking, oh, I’m like Gareth Bale, then you just get carried away.”
If Leeds can pull this deal off, we feel it could be another shrewd move similar to the signings of stalwarts like Stuart Dallas and Mateusz Klich – be sure to keep an eye on the situation.
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