OPINION
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has made it clear that he wants to make one more signing before the EFL loan window shuts at the end of the week.
Phil Hay, senior journalist form the Yorkshire Evening Post, is the man in the know. He reported yesterday that Leeds are not going to sign another centre-back, despite fans insisting the squad is short in that position. Instead, they’re going to sign an attacking midfielder who can cover for Samu Saiz.
they aren’t going to sign another CB. Bielsa doesn’t want one. They’re chasing one before the deadline – midfielder to cover Saiz.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) August 27, 2018
Fans are desperate to know who the player is and Hay has been drip feeding clues, starting with the fact that the player is from the Premier League.
He was then asked by another fan whether the player would be someone who could cover the wings too, saying that Leeds would be short if Pablo Hernandez or Ezgjan Allioski got injured.
Hay replied saying that the player is versatile but “prefers to play through the middle”.
player is versatile but prefers to play through the middle.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) August 27, 2018
Three names instantly come to mind:
1) Izzy Brown – Chelsea
The 21-year-old Chelsea player is the chief suspect. He went out on loan to Brighton last season and impressed, but suffered an injury that wiped him out for the rest of the season. He just announced himself back on Twitter yesterday after after four months off. Coincidence? Could be, but Brown plays as a secondary striker, like Saiz, and can also play out on the wings. He’s got to be a really good shout.
This is Futbol rating: 9/10
2) Josh Onomah – Tottenham
The links between Mauricio Pochettino and Bielsa have been well documented, but Poch was at it again last night, raving about the Leeds manager after his 3-0 win against Man United. Onomah is a player who Poch will be desperate to improve and where better than under Bielsa? The attacking mid, who can also play out on the flanks, has made 32 senior appearances for Spurs but hasn’t pushed on and spent last season on loan at Villa. Reviews were mixed there but he’s a potentially big-time player. Would he be happy sitting on the Leeds bench though?
This is Futbol rating: 6/10
3) Kieran Dowell – Everton
This is another serious contender. The 20-year-old Everton midfielder spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest where he was impressive, scoring 10 goals and registering five assists in 43 games. He’s made three senior Everton appearances but is nowhere near the first team and Marco Silva will surely be keen for him to continue his development at a progressive club like Leeds. The England Under-21 international is versatile, can play on either flank, but prefers going straight through the middle.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10