The Athletic’s Phil Hay believes that Leeds United could finally sign a new left-back in the January transfer window.
It appeared quite obvious over the summer that Leeds needed to sign a new left-back after Junior Firpo picked up a hamstring injury during pre-season and the club decided to sell Leif Davis to Ipswich Town.
However, the club opted against bringing anyone in and Pascal Struijk has had to play there for the majority of this season, which isn’t great for him or Jesse Marsch.
Hay has now admitted on The Phil Hay Show that it sounds like a new left-back could soon be brought in as competition and cover for Firpo, who has been susceptible to injuries since joining Leeds.
He said: “From what’s being said, I do get the sense that there is going to be quite a strong temptation to try and find a left-back in January.”
Do Leeds need to sign a new left-back?
Yes!
No!
TIF Thoughts on Leeds’ left-back needs…
It’s certainly no secret that Leeds need a left back, or at least one that can provide good enough cover for Firpo given his poor injury record, and the fact they didn’t address the situation in the summer is quite negligent of the club.
However, it may well have been Marsch’s wish to not sign a left-back as he sees Firpo as the perfect player for his system, though even if that was the case, Victor Orta should have convinced the American that wouldn’t be a wise decision in the long run.
This new left-back doesn’t necessarily need to cost a fortune, rather someone to avoid so Leeds struggling when Firpo picks up injuries or is in need of a rest, so perhaps someone that’s more of a veteran, or a young player looking to learn their craft could be the way to go about it in January.