OPINION
With a week left of the loan window in the English Football League, Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa seems to be playing things cool when it comes to potential new recruits.
The Whites were relatively busy in the permanent market, even getting some temporary deals through the door in the shape of Chelsea duo Jamal Blackman and Lewis Baker, but the club’s business has dried up following the shutting of the actual window.
With time ticking away, fans would be urging him to consider making some late swoops, not least because of the early injury blows suffered at Elland Road, but things seem static when it comes to the entrance door at the club.
The Yorkshire Evening Post claim on their website that Leeds have been in touch with Premier League side Everton over a potential loan reunion with Matthew Pennington, who is said to be open and keen to a return after his spell last season, but that the manager is nonplussed about bringing a new centre back in.
However, with a potential promotion bid on the line, Bielsa cannot afford to be gambling on his squad, and in Pennington he would be getting a proven performer who not only knows the division but knows the club and would have no trouble settling in and getting down to work immediately.
Liam Cooper and Pontus Jansson have already been on the sidelines and having an experienced head to back them up is a must if the Whites are serious about a top six spot, so Bielsa really needs to pull a u-turn over not hiring another central enforcer and take Pennington back – not that he would take much convincing.
It is a move which works for all parties and gives Leeds the peace of mind about having a talented defender in reserve for if the worst were to happen.
No one would forgive Bielsa if his stubbornness cost the club a shot at promotion.