OPINION
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa is known as a coach who works with a tight knit group of players in his first team squad in order to eek out every last drop of quality and effort – but his approach has inadvertently backfired heading into the new year.
He might refute it but the club’s injury woes are startling to say the least, with a number of long-term absentees, including full back pair Luke Ayling and Gaetano Berardi – the latter of which Leeds Live claim will not be back until the latter stages of the season.
A lack of options leave the Whites looking threadbare at the back and having seen his centre back options depleted at times during the campaign, he might be rethinking his decision not to recruit more new talents in the summer window.
It seems a no-brainer to amend the mistakes in his first couple of months in charge and try to source new players to fill the gaping void – and one powerhouse could prove to be a masterstroke for the Elland Road outfit.
Leeds Live report that Derby County defender Andre Wisdom, who has fallen firmly out of favour at Pride Park, could be set for a loan exit in January, and while Kemar Roofe might have torn him apart with a brace in Leeds’ 4-1 victory early in the season, his experience would be a massive boost to Bielsa.
A versatile right back who can play in the middle, the 25-year-old would kill two birds with one stone, and with 48 games of Premier League and 68 of Championship action under his belt, he could make a huge difference to an average looking defence.
Whatever the reason behind his casting out at Derby, Leeds must take full advantage and raid their rivals for his capture – with a loan suiting all parties involved, even if it does mean giving the Rams a healthy fee to seal a deal.
There are a lot worse options out there and Wisdom ticks not just a lot but practically all the boxes for Bielsa.