Leeds United have made huge mistake as summer target bags 8G/A in seven games

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United signed 10 players in the summer but they missed out on acquiring a versatile and creative player out wide for Daniel Farke’s attack.

Graham Smyth explained ambitious ‘reach’ signings were a part of Leeds United’s transfer strategy, which is why forwards can be elusive. Players deemed as attacking differentials are always going to have other interest from elsewhere.

Igor Paixao chose Marseille over Leeds; meanwhile, Facundo Buonanotte was loaned to Chelsea instead of Leeds just days before the deadline. In the end, they were left scrambling and Leeds also missed out on Harry Wilson late in the window.

We suggested Ao Tanaka’s teammate Ritsu Doan at one stage of the window, given that he is capable of operating as a No.10 or right-sided winger. He profiles similarly to Buonanotte and Wilson in that regard.

• READ MORE: Joe Rodon did something he’s never done before during Leeds United’s draw against Bournemouth

Ritsu Doan’s electric start at Eintracht Frankfurt

Tanaka is a Japanese international with Doan, who was plying his trade in Germany with SC Freiburg last season. However, while Tanaka is steady, Doan is one of Japan’s stars.

He is also a set-piece taker and left-footed, much like Buonanotte and Wilson were. Doan was not the only Japan star touted with a move to Elland Road in the summer, either. 

Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo was also an option. He is also a left-footed winger or No.10. Leeds, most likely, will go back in for players of that profile in January, but they are without it for now.

Instead of joining Leeds, Doan moved across the Bundesliga for £19 million and made the switch to Eintracht Frankfurt. There, Doan is a teammate of Robin Koch’s and Rasmus Kristensen’s.

Salt was rubbed in the wounds when Doan won Frankfurt’s Player of the Month in August. He has added to his strong start further already, which makes missing out on him all the more frustrating.

Koch and Doan were part of a crazy Bundesliga game on Saturday evening, with the former scoring twice and the latter assisting twice during a 6-4 away win for Frankfurt.

They were 6-0 up on Borussia Monchengladbach, with Doan running the show for the visitors. It hammers home the frustration for Leeds, given that Doan is both a goalscorer and a playmaker.

In all competitions, Doan has four goals and four assists since his move, which includes two goals and three assists in the Bundesliga, two in the cup, and an assist during a 5-1 win over Galatasaray.

Pursuing other players more than Doan could be seen as a huge mistake, considering how he would have fixed Leeds’ problem but also been available at a reasonable price to what Frankfurt paid.

• READ MORE: Pablo Hernandez says ‘key’ Leeds United moment fans couldn’t see live still gives him ‘goosebumps’

Leeds need a player with Ritsu Doan’s output and ability

Leeds will have to look at players of Doan, Wilson, and Buonanotte’s type between now and January. They need a playmaker who can play wide or centrally.

So far, he has been a right-sided winger, but Doan is the playmaker of this exciting Frankfurt side. They have scored 27 goals in just seven matches in all competitions already.

Doan may well have opted for a move elsewhere, but Leeds have to hope their heads are above water so that they can convince players to make the move and ensure safety in the Premier League.