The winter transfer window does not open until 1st January, but Leeds can still bolster the squad before then.
Daniel Farke has eased the pressure on his shoulders after picking up four points from clashes against Chelsea and Liverpool last week, but could still use a new addition or two in order to keep up the momentum at Elland Road.
As you may already know, free agents can be signed outside of a transfer window, and the recent introduction of a 3-5-2 formation has opened the door to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain arriving at Leeds.
Why Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could now be a perfect signing for Leeds United
Leeds have been aware of Oxlade-Chamberlain for several months now, since the England international and Besiktas mutually agreed to part ways in August.
Previously, it felt like a deal potentially worth doing should nothing else arise in January, but now, it seems like a no-brainer after Farke implemented a 3-5-2 shape.
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.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is eager to find a new club, has experience of this system from his time at Arsenal, where he was used as a right wing-back by Arsene Wenger, and has also previously spoken about just how much he likes the position.
The 32-year-old told Arsenal in May 2017: “It suits my game because when I’m playing wing-back there’s a lot of space to run into. I feel like I’m more natural running with the ball as opposed to running off the ball for someone to play over the top.”
Furthermore, Oxlade-Chamberlain was used on both the right and left flanks by Wenger at Arsenal, so Farke would be able to deploy him as a backup for either Jayden Bogle or Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can also cover central midfield areas for Leeds United
Not only can the man from Portsmouth play in either wing-back area, but he would also be an option for Farke in central midfield.
| Position | Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Midfield | 119 | 11 | 13 |
| Right Midfield | 81 | 9 | 10 |
| Right Wing | 57 | 5 | 7 |
| Left Midfield | 39 | 6 | 5 |
| Left Wing | 28 | 6 | 1 |
| Attacking Midfield | 25 | 4 | 5 |
| Defensive Midfield | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Right-Back | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Striker | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Second Striker | 1 | 0 | 0 |
It was in central midfield where Oxlade-Chamberlain arguably played the best football of his career under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool before a serious knee injury against Roma in 2018.
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
With money tight at Leeds right now amid PSR problems, a free agent who can boast 235 Premier League appearances – as well as immense versatility – should be one the 49ers are all over following the formation change under Farke.
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