OPINION
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa exposed a huge issue with his squad on Thursday when he failed to name a single centre-back in his starting line-up for the friendly clash with York City.
Ronaldo Vieira, Mateusz Klich and Laurens De Bock all started as Leeds’ back-three as they went on to draw 1-1 with the non-league club – and this is a major problem that needs to be fixed as soon as possible.
We've got, I think, a back three of Vieira, Klich and De Bock. Wing backs are Pearce and Shackleton. Ideguchi, Baker and Stevens in the middle. Edmondson and Clarke more advanced, although Clarke has started out wide on the left.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 19, 2018
Leeds are yet to sign a centre-back this summer and there only senior options are Liam Cooper and Pontus Jansson, so it’s certainly a part of the squad that needs improving even when you disregard the York friendly.
One player that has recently been reported to be on the Whites’ radar is free agent Diego Polenta, who has recently left Uruguayan giants Nacional and is in search of a new club.
Ovacion Digital has claimed that Leeds have already made an offer for Polenta, but saw their approach rebuffed by the 26-year-old centre-back, who has also turned down Mexican club Atlas and Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad.
As Polenta is a free agent, it would make a lot of sense for the Whites to follow up this rejected offer and table a second move for the South American.
He has years of experience in top-flight football and playing against some of South America’s best teams in the Copa Libertadores.
And because Leeds have so far struggled to sign anyone on a permanent deal, it would be worth the risk to go in and sign someone who is available.
Bielsa is yet to really use his reputation in the transfer market, but making a move for a fellow South American can really get the Yorkshire club’s business up and running.