Ask most Leeds United fans for the club’s biggest problem position over the last 10 years, and most will reply the left side of the defence. Leeds have struggled to solve it in the last decade.
Last season, Leeds needed a no.10 and a goalkeeper. This season, the need for a no.10 remains, and a set-piece specialist, even if Anton Stach scored a free-kick. Every season, there is something missing.
That is football. But over the last decade, left-back has been a problem area for Leeds. Junior Firpo was great going forward, but in the Premier League, his defensive weaknesses often caused Leeds issues.
No stranger to injury, Firpo is now back at Betis. Before the former Barcelona man, Stuart Dallas and Gjanni Alioski were key parts of the Premier League era under Marcelo Bielsa, during his time at Leeds.
Leeds’ left-back problems go all the way back to Charlie Taylor
Dross like Laurens De Bock, Vurnon Anita and other dismal signings made by Victor Orta early on in his tenure as Leeds sporting director, are more proof that Leeds have failed to find a solution at left-back.
Bielsa might have thought he found one with the signing of Barry Douglas, and while well-liked, injury proved to be an issue for the Scottish ace. Ultimately, Leeds have lacked a left-back they can rely on.
The last left-back Leeds could really, truthfully rely on was Charlie Taylor. Dallas was probably the next-best option on the left, but this is a player who was naturally a midfielder. Taylor was the last-best option.
Gabriel Gudmundsson has finally solved Leeds’ problem area
The latest left-back to try and solve the left-back dilemma at Leeds, and rid Leeds of the left-back curse is Gabriel Gudmundsson. Elements of that curse seemed apparent away at Fulham in the 1-0 loss in London.
His freak own goal was a bad moment, but aside from that, which was hardly his fault, Gudmundsson has been incredibly consistent, and arguably, Leeds’ best signing of the window had it not been for Fulham.
Finally, Leeds have solved the left-back issue, judging by Gudmundsson’s first five Premier League games. The Sweden ace’s form has been consistent, reliable and good at both ends – a bargain for just £10m.
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