OPINION
As Marcelo Bielsa’s transfer plans finally click into action, Swansea’s Tom Carroll should be his next target.
Leeds United have taken a risk in the appointment of Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa and they need to invest heavily in new players, if his spell at Elland road is to be successful.
Bielsa needs certain types of player in his team to be able to play the style of football he wants and if he can’t get them, he simply walks out. Just ask Italian club Lazio, who Bielsa left two days after being appointed in 2016.
So far, the club have confirmed the signing of Chelsea midfielder Lewis Baker on loan, which is a good start, but the new boss will want more midfielders.
Swansea’s Tom Carroll is a perfect example of what a Bielsa player looks like. The 26-year-old glides around the pitch and controls the tempo of the team, using his wand of a left-foot to do so.
He’s an excellent passer of the ball and can find teammates when others wouldn’t be able to, he can also cross and shoot with unerring accuracy, such is his technical prowess.
Bielsa needs a player like this in his team at all times. The midfielder who controls the game, drives the play forward and is at the centre of everything the team does in possession.
If the 62-year-old doesn’t bring in a player who can do this, his tenure is likely to be short and not very sweet. There is not a player currently in the Whites squad that play this role, but Carroll can.
With the Swans being relegated last season, Carroll may want to stay with the club and try and get them promoted. But, if Bielsa can convince him of the ambition that the club has, he may be able to tempt him to Yorkshire.