Leeds United are interested in signing Leicester City right or left-back James Justin this summer, but he is not the only versatile full-back being considered.
It’s said that, with Isaac Schmidt allowed to head on loan to Werder Bremen, Daniel Farke will sanction his exit from Leeds United if the 49ers replace the Swiss utility player.
Irrespective of that fact, a Leeds United News exclusive revealed the 49ers want to add in at least one full-back, but we also explained that Justin of Leicester is on Leeds’ radar following the Schmidt news landing.
The 27-year-old has a wealth of Premier League and Championship experience and he is in the final year of his contract with the recently-relegated side. Leeds fans already like the idea of Justin’s versatility as well.
Joakim Maehle is a better option for Leeds than James Justin
Leeds could yet sign more than one full-back. Despite signing Gabriel Gudmundsson for the first-team and Jayden Lienou as a development player for the U-21 team at left-back, and also holding an interest in Justin, it could be two.
If Leeds look to sign two specialists for either side, it would knock Sam Byram further down the pecking order after penning another one-year deal this summer.
However, what perhaps makes more sense is to acquire a player like Justin who can operate on both flanks and who is somewhat of an all-rounder, but could there be a better option for Leeds?
Leeds have signed three former VfL Wolfsburg players in the last 12 months, with Josuha Guilavogui last season, and Sebastiaan Bornauw and Lukas Nmecha this summer.
They have a versatile full-back, standing at over 6’0″ tall, and with a wealth of experience in different top flight leagues as well. Danish full-back Joakim Maehle ticks a number of boxes for Leeds.
The 28-year-old has experience of the Danish, Belgian, Italian, and German top flights, while also being a crucial player for his country in recent years.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Aalborg BK | 27 | 1 | 4 |
| KRC Genk | 130 | 6 | 22 |
| Atalanta BC | 96 | 6 | 7 |
| VfL Wolfsburg | 64 | 5 | 8 |
| Denmark | 52 | 11 | 7 |
A true all-rounder and two-sided full-back, Maehle can attack as well as he defends, while also having a terrific engine and an exemplary injury record.
Of course, Justin’s issue in recent years has been the latter. That is why Maehle should also be considered if Leeds are going down the route of a player who can cover both Jayden Bogle and Gudmundsson.
The experienced defender has 203 career appearances down the right and 83 down the left, proving his ability to impress wherever is asked of him as a full-back or wing-back.
Kasper Schmeichel once described Joakim Maehle as a ‘machine’
Maehle has also won 52 caps for Denmark, registering an impressive 11 goals and seven assists thus far.
He has rightly earned plaudits in the past from one of his teammates, which epitomises the kind of player that Maehle is in terms of his relentless running.
Ex-Leeds goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel spoke during Euro 2020 back in 2021, with Maehle impressing all of Europe in that tournament, and he said: “The guy’s a machine.”
The goalkeeper told Goal.com after the 4-1 win over Russia at Euro 2020. He added: “I think he’s still running inside in the dressing room, on the treadmill!”
Maehle is good enough to start Premier League games, too, meaning that he would push Bogle and Gudmundsson and maintain a degree of competitiveness that is healthy for a squad.
If Leeds are indeed eyeing up versatile full-backs, then you imagine Maehle is a consideration and on their radar this summer alongside Justin.
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