Leeds United are seemingly in the market for a new centre-back after Ethan Ampadu was forced to play in defence on Saturday, with Pascal Struijk missing due to an ankle issue.
Struijk’s absence was felt and not because Ampadu had a bad game, but because his bite was missing in midfield. Leeds had been poor away from home before Ampadu returned just before the Christmas run.
Ampadu played every minute of away games against Stoke City and Derby County, and Leeds produced two wins and two clean sheets in those games. Ampadu played a key role in the middle of the park.
Clearly, the skipper’s tenacity in midfield is a crucial ingredient in helping Leeds playing away from home. But Ampadu had to go into defence on Saturday and it saw Leeds prove too soft in central midfield.
Leeds want Nico Elvedi and perfect swap opportunity arises
So, Leeds want a centre-back. The Whites are in talks for Forest’s Andrew Omobamidele, but another target is Switzerland star Nico Elvedi who is currently first choice at Daniel Farke’s old side Gladbach.
Leeds are leading Wolves in the race for £10m-rated Elvedi, who played under Farke at Gladbach. The defender though, is unlikely to leave Gladbach who are pushing for Europe for a second-tier Leeds.
However, Leeds might be able to force through a move by offering a swap deal. Back in the summer, Gladbach were desperate to sign Max Wober but could not afford him after his loan there last term.
That interest is hardly likely to dissipate while Wober finds himself as back-up and filling in at left-back away from his natural position of centre-back. If Leeds offer Wober for Elvedi, it might suit all parties.
Elvedi prefers to stay at Gladbach but the German side are open to his exit. If they get a replacement in in the form of Wober straight away, that will tempt Gladbach and the club may put pressure on Elvedi to go.
What Daniel Farke has said about ‘leader’ Nico Elvedi in the past
Elvedi is a Premier League-standard centre-back. Coming into the peak of his career at 28, a player to have already clocked up north of 300 games for Gladbach and one that has more than 50 national caps.
He is a player that Farke loves. At Gladbach, Farke said: “Nico Elvedi is an absolute leader for us. When he is at his best, he is one of the best central defenders in Europe. He has proven that over the years.”
Big praise and clearly, a defender that has left a mark on Farke moving forward given the interest now. If Leeds could get Elvedi to Elland Road it would be superb bit of business, whichever league Leeds are in.
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