Leeds United have turned their attentions to more attack-minded signings after signing six players already this window.
There is more work to be done, including the need for an alternative to Brenden Aaronson in attacking midfield. There are current Leeds United players who also simply won’t make the grade at Premier League level as starting players.
A good Championship player and a competent Premier League player don’t always align, with other attributes necessary in the top flight beyond what makes for an effective second tier player.
Leeds have bolstered their midfield ranks via Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach’s arrivals, but they are yet to make a more attacking addition, be that an out-and-out No.10 or a more advanced No.8 type of player.
Graham Smyth claims a late-window loan could be Leeds’ attacking midfield solution
Graham Smyth has explained what he believes Leeds need to sign in the coming weeks, with around six left before the window closes now.
However, he also offered a potential solution to the creativity issue in the central area of the pitch, as well as a potential timeframe in which it could be resolved.
Speaking via The Inside Elland Road Podcast, he said: “When they’re coming up against Premier League opposition week in week out, creativity is what they’re going to need.
“They’re going to need a very, very good nine, they need a very good left winger, I would also say — they need a ten. Maybe that’s a long deal that they’ll do towards the end of the window.
“I know that, in a 4-3-3, they’re not necessarily going to have a 10 or play with a 10, but Farke has been talking about flexibility and wanting options.
“Because there are going to be games that they play, maybe against teams that came up with Leeds, where they’ll have more of the ball. There will be games where they won’t see a lot of the ball and they’ll have to be compact and sit in a little bit.
“But it would be good to have that attacking made creativity on the bench, if needs be. Or if they want to change things in a game.”
The attacking midfielders linked to Leeds and why a loan makes sense
Getae’s Christantus Uche has had enquiries from Leeds, while it’s been reported that James McAtee is a long-term target for Leeds as well.
They are vastly different in profile-terms, which is why so much of Leeds’ business has a knock-on effect to other areas of the squad.
Leeds could sign a wide playmaker like Ritsu Doan, or they could go for more of a powerful player like Uche. Two other names that continuously are linked to Leeds are Emi Buendia and Gus Hamer.
It’s entirely plausible that who they go for in that area is simply not out there yet publicly, especially if it is to be a loan player later on in the window.
The ‘Big-Six’ clubs will allow their fringe and squad players to depart via a temporary loan later in the window, when they are more clear on their squad.
At that stage, they could be surplus to requirements but young and in need of regular first-team football, with minutes the only way for them to develop.
Given their current midfield options, there is no rush. Other priorities are more likely to steal the limelight currently, given the need for a goalkeeper, a striker, and potentially another winger all being more pressing.
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