da leao： Beren Cross has dropped a behind-the-scenes update on the remaining transfer business of Leeds United.
What’s the latest?
da aposte e ganhe： In a recent Q&A for Leeds Live, the journalist revealed that, despite Victor Orta still being linked with a number of moves in the summer transfer window – particularly for a left-back and centre-forward – he has heard that, unless one of Jesse Marsch’s current first-teamers sustains a serious injury in the coming weeks, the Spaniard does not look likely to sanction any further moves.
In response to a question concerning the Whites’ remaining business, Cross replied: “Based on the noises we are hearing behind-the-scenes and in Marsch’s press conferences, my gut instinct is they won’t add anyone else now unless they suffer a serious injury to a senior player.
“As you point out yourself, one of their key arguments is avoiding a block in the path of [Joe] Gelhardt’s development. Rodrigo’s goals have also pushed him into the debate at the right time for the club to believe he’s another reason they don’t need another striker.
“We can disagree with that approach, and I believe they do need another forward, but this seems to be the route they are going down. I understand there are still forwards out there who do fit the profile they want, but Leeds will only move if they are made available before the window closes.”
Big mistake
Considering just how short Leeds are both at left-back and up top, the argument that it would be a big mistake for Orta not to bring a new player in both positions to the club over the remainder of the summer transfer window is an easy one to make.
Indeed, with Leeds having sold Leif Davis to Ipswich Town last month, coupled with both Junior Firpo and Stuart Dallas currently being ruled out due to injury – with the former having already struggled for fitness last season and the latter sidelined until at least 2023 – Marsch has been left with no other choice than to field centre-back Pascal Struijk on the left of his back four in the club’s opening two Premier League fixtures of the 2022/23 campaign.
And, while the 23-year-old did impress in the position against Southampton last time out – earning a SofaScore match rating of 7.1 for his display in the 2-2 draw – the former Netherlands U17 international’s display in the 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers – in which Struijk earned a disappointing match rating of just 6.7 – should have been enough to convince Orta that greater depth at left-back is required prior to September’s transfer deadline.
Furthermore, with the Whites’ primary goal-threat Patrick Bamford – who managed just seven Premier League starts last season due to a series of injuries – having already picked up a fresh knock in the current campaign, it is evident that, should the club wish to avoid a repeat of their 42 league goals scored last season – the joint fifth-worst record in the division – back up to the 28-year-old England international is an absolute must this summer.
As such, Cross’ latest update concerning Leeds’ remaining transfer business is sure to be a great cause for concern amongst the Elland Road faithful, as, should Orta not act in the coming weeks, the Whites’ director of football would only be increasing the club’s chances of being involved in another fight for survival come the end of the 2022/23 campaign.