With Leeds United currently struggling in the Premier League, should they have tried to sign former player Ronaldo Vieira in the January transfer market?
A recent 3-0 battering against fellow Premier League underperformers Everton highlighted some of the many issues going on at Leeds this season.
One of those faults perhaps comes in the middle of the park. Indeed, Mateusz Klich was slammed for his performance in midfield, and with that position not strengthened in the winter window, Marcelo Bielsa’s recent decisions have come under scrutiny.
While the club failed with their attempts to bring in primary transfer target Brenden Aaronson of RB Salzburg, perhaps they would have been better off going for a player they already knew.
Indeed, Vieira came through the Leeds youth setup before being allowed to leave in 2018 for Italian outfit Sampdoria for £6.39 million (as per Transfermarkt). He made 71 appearances for the club before they were playing in the top flight.
And during the past transfer window, the 23-year-old was linked with a return to West Yorkshire, but no move ever ended up coming to fruition.
With key central midfielder Kalvin Phillips missing large chunks of the season with injury, perhaps it would have been wise to make a move for the Serie A man.
After all, Leeds are not exactly blessed with great depth in that position and an extra number in midfield could perhaps help the club improve their league form.
Vieira has had his own injury issues this season, but now seems to be steadily working his way back into the frame at Sampdoria, featuring in the side’s past three league outings. He might not be a world-beater, but three caps and a goal at England U21 level also shows just how highly rated the young midfielder once was.
Should Leeds sign back Ronaldo Vieira?
Yes
No
It’s not likely that he would be the solution to all of Leeds’ problems, but with the squad already so small and short of proven senior options, Vieira could have lightened the load in the heart of Bielsa’s team – with his past experience in the side arguably allowing him to immediately settle right into the squad.
In other news: Lost 5 duels, given a 3/10 rating: Leeds United star slammed after ‘dishevelled’ display