Leeds United require fresh faces in a number of areas this summer transfer window, including a playmaker of high quality.
Illan Meslier was an issue in goal all season long, while other profile concerns meant Brenden Aaronson didn’t always shine as a No.10 and as the supposed creative hub of the team. Daniel Farke wanted Leeds to sign a playmaker during the summer but nothing ever materialised.
Leeds United had to find sparks of creativity elsewhere through Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell in deeper midfield roles, and Jayden Bogle and Junior Firpo as the attacking full-back pairing. Manor Solomon was also impressive in that regard.
Firpo and Solomon are out of contract and ending their loan spell respectively, which means Leeds need to find other ways to open teams up. That could be another attacking midfielder or a winger or both, which is why they should be eyeing a move to revive a deal for a former target.
Leeds should revive a deal for Brighton’s Julio Enciso
We have outlined previously how Leeds missed a trick with Julio Enciso joining Ipswich Town. The playmaker struggled to make an impact with Brighton but his Ipswich loan has been more productive, that is for certain.
Enciso has differential qualities in the final third, while also being a player who isn’t afraid to shoot on sight. Leeds need someone with that aspect to their play, but a player who can also unlock doors through line-breaking dribbling or passing.
Enciso combines a number of those aspects in terms of his skill-set. He can operate as a winger or attacking midfielder in the central by finding the same sorts of pockets in and around the box to do damage.
That, and the fact he is in the final year of his contract and somewhat out of favour under Fabian Hurzeler, highlights why he should be available and affordable as difference-maker at Elland Road for a team vying to consolidate their place in the division and survive the drop.
He hasn’t quite been able to do that since his January arrival at Ipswich but his impact, the quality of his ball-striking, and the flashes of brilliance in moments are why he should be taken a chance on as a bargain buy.
Enciso is just 21 and has bags of potential, while also being somewhat experienced for his age. He could be a short and long-term asset for this Leeds team and upgrade upon Aaronson or help to replace some of the creativity and output of Solomon in moments of magic.
Enciso operates best as an attacking midfielder or wide playmaker, thriving in a role where he can link midfield and attack. His ideal position is as a No.10, floating between the lines to exploit spaces or out wide as an inverted winger on the left.
Enciso actually rejected Leeds for Ipswich initially but it’s hard to see a world where he wouldn’t be open to the move now and Aaronson could be upgraded on in the form of the Paraguayan instead.
Julio Enciso could replace Georginio Rutter’s spark, here’s why
Without Georginio Rutter, Leeds lack a player who can unlock stubborn opposition and provide those crucial moments of magic, especially in games where creativity is key to breaking down defences and teams protecting a lead, a la Blackburn Rovers, Millwall, Portsmouth, and Burnley this season.
They will face smarter opposition in the top flight, where they need what Rutter offered in terms of a unique blend of creativity and flair to Leeds, with his ability to thread intricate passes and break lines; it was a role no one in the current squad quite replicates in terms of their overall skill-set.
Something Leeds lack is the ability to score goals from long range. Tanaka, Joel Piroe, and Dan James have got a couple but when Leeds play against a low block, it often takes a moment of brilliance to turn the tide in their favour. Enciso’s stunner against Everton sparked that comeback into life.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Libertad | 69 | 21 | 8 |
| Brighton & Hove Albion | 57 | 5 | 6 |
| Ipswich Town | 12 | 2 | 3 |
| Paraguay | 25 | 3 | 3 |
Enciso is clearly capable of scoring from distance. It would have given Leeds another tool in the armoury, another way of winning games when sometimes the Whites are left frustrated. Outside of that, he will drift into the half-spaces and dictate play and has that knack of finding pockets of space.
He can do that where others might struggle, making him a constant threat in between the lines. But his ability in a moment of sheer brilliance is something that is invaluable to a team trying to survive.
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