Leeds United wanted and needed more attacking depth back in the summer window, but the Whites could only manage to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lukas Nmecha, and Noah Okafor.
While all three have certainly made an impact, and that is growing with every game that passes, it is still clear that Leeds lack in the final third. Despite Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s comments after beating Wolves.
A big part of Daniel Farke going to a 3-5-2 system is because it removes the need for wingers, and with Dan James out injured, Leeds lack the required quality out wide. No wingers actually suits Leeds more.
Which player would you be happy for Leeds to sell in January to fund their transfer business? Let us know in the comments… 🤔💰
The likes of Joel Piroe and Willy Gnonto are struggling to force their way into Farke's plans.
But if Farke had his way, Adam Underwood would have signed some better wingers for him and Leeds could play the way he wants. Farke says he wanted £35m Fulham star Kevin, among many other options.
Harry Wilson, Facundo Buonanotte, Igor Paixao were all wanted. Leeds had a £30m bid accepted for Paixao while in Germany, but he chose France and scored in the Champions League again, last night.
Oscar Gloukh chose to join Ajax over Leeds United in the summer
He wasn’t the only attacker to be linked with Leeds, which has been scoring in the Champions League. Last month, PSV’s Couhaib Driouech scored a brace against Liverpool in PSV’s shock win, off the bench.
On Wednesday night, Manor Solomon’s Israel teammate Oscar Gloukh joined Ajax from Salzburg in a deal that could reach £15m. He chose to join Ajax over Leeds after Gloukh was linked with Elland Road.
Leeds may have thought they had a chance of landing Gloukh in the summer, given he was playing for Salzburg and the RedBull connection was there. But he’s since had a hand in 11 goals in 22 Ajax games.
Oscar Gloukh scores brace as Leeds left to look on in despair
At the time, when Ajax confirmed they had paid an initial fee of less than £13m and a deal would only reach a total of £15m, many felt they had landed themselves a bargain. And so, it has turned out that way.
Leeds have made a mistake not spending £15m on Oscar Gloukh – discuss 🪄
At £15m, he's been a bargain for Ajax!
On Wednesday night, Ajax came from behind twice to beat Qarabag in Azerbaijan, and Gloukh was key. The Israeli star scored his fifth and sixth goal of the season for Ajax with a superb brace in a 4-2 victory.
Leeds, meanwhile, lack creativity and magic in the final third. Farke chose to adapt to that by creating a side that doesn’t require magic, but one of brute force instead. But sometimes, magic is needed.
Gloukh would have been a stunning signing for Leeds in the summer. Especially, at just £15m. But in the end, he has chosen to join one of Europe’s biggest clubs outside of the top-five leagues in Ajax.
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