Things are still up in the air for Daniel Farke at Leeds United.
On one hand, the team isn’t in a terrible position in the Championship, but on the other, everyone knows that things could be much better.
Leeds’ 2-2 draw at Sunderland before the international break has probably dampened the mood, especially given how the hosts’ equaliser came about.
But another dark cloud over Elland Road is the midfield injury issues facing Leeds and Farke, especially given that they are long-term problems.
Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev might not be seen until 2025, which is a headache for Farke because he is losing a lot of defensive brains in the middle of the park and during a winter-packed period.
In truth, the team’s performance at the Stadium of Light – and against a team sitting top of the Championship – doesn’t indicate that there should be any worries.
But Leeds fans know this more than anyone else that there is always something around the corner in the Championship to bring you down.
One of the roads the powers that be in Yorkshire can go down is by dipping into the free-agent market and signing a player to fill the midfield void.
There are suggestions that Leeds could sign Cheikhou Kouyate after he left Nottingham Forest in the summer and hasn’t found a new club since.
Kouyate will turn 35 in December, and on a free, has all the experience, trust and reliability in the world to come in and beef up the midfield again.
But Carlton Palmer feels that Leeds could be making a mistake by signing Kouyate as he shared that there is a reason why he has no club right now.
Palmer admitted that ‘it worries me’ and ‘it is a problem’, as he also cited how he and Farke have the same feelings and reservations about signing someone in this manner, as he told Football League World.
Leeds United warned about signing free agent Cheikhou Kouyate
“Given Leeds United’s injury woes, especially in the midfield department, Daniel Farke is looking at players who are out of contract and one of those players is Cheikhou Kouyate, who was released by Nottingham Forest in the summer,” said Palmer
“He’s still without a club and it worries me when a player has been released from a football club in the summer and has not been picked up, it is a problem. But Daniel Farke has long-term injury problems with both Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev – It might work out in a limited period, but Daniel Farke and I both have the same feelings about this, and he expressed his reservations about Leeds signing free agents at this stage of the season.
“I think what Leeds have got to go is try to get through this present moment, hopefully get one or two players back or get to the January transfer window and move to bring some quality players in. I don’t think Kouyate is going to come in at 34 years old and make a big impression at Leeds with what they are planning to do for this season. As I said, with players who have been released by a football club in the summer and haven’t been snapped up at this period of time, there is a reason for that.”
Leeds United in the January transfer window
If Leeds can bring in Kouyate, and then from a financial perspective, still dip into the January transfer window when it comes around, then they should go for it.
It’s all about Kouyate’s character and what he would do for the dressing room also because he has a lot of experience under his belt.
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If that’s a tick in the box, then there is another reason to bring in a player who has also represented West Ham United and Crystal Palace during his career.
All in all, Kouyate currently not being without a club shouldn’t be off-putting because his CV over the course of his career speaks for itself.
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