Leeds United boss Paul Heckingbottom has revealed that he will look to make big changes at the club this summer while bringing in the ‘minimal amount of signings.’
The Whites wrapped up a disappointing season on a high note on Sunday as they ran our 2-0 winners over QPR at Elland Road thanks to goals from Kemar Roofe and Kalvin Phillips.
That gave Heckingbottom just his fourth win from 16 matches in charge since taking over in February, and the 40-year-old has now revealed what he is going to try and do this summer.
Speaking after the QPR win, as quoted by Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Phil Hay on Twitter, he said: “You want to make major surgery with the minimal amount of signings. If funds are unlimited you can do what you want but it’s never good to keep ripping everything apart. I want to make big changes to the dynamic, however many we have to sign.”
Heckingbottom on transfer window: "You want to make major surgery with the minimal amount of signings. If funds are unlimited you can do what you want but it’s never good to keep ripping everything apart. I want to make big changes to the dynamic, however many we have to sign.”
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) May 6, 2018
OPINION
It is not surprising to hear that Heckingbottom will look to make big changes at Leeds this summer after such a disappointing season. The Whites went from top of the table in September to 13th at the end of the season, passing up a glorious opportunity to achieve that elusive promotion to the Premier League. There are several areas of deficiency within the squad, and Heckingbottom will have his work cut out to decide on the correct ins and outs. As he mentions here, there will not be an unlimited budget for him to be working under, and so he will have to be clever with the moves he does make. He will not be able to ship out all the players he has not been happy with this season, and will not be able to bring in all his targets. It will probably end up being the changes he makes with those players who end up staying that will be most crucial next time round.