Marcelo Bielsa says Leeds United’s squad is too bloated.
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa is going to be ruthless after taking over, admitting the club’s squad is too large.
The Whites have already sold Felix Wiedwald and Madger Gomes this summer, and Bielsa says this transfer window should be quality over quantity – the opposite of last year.
Speaking via a translator at his first press conference, Bielsa said that he wants to trim the squad.
He told BBC Sport: “We think the club generally have got 15 players which we might consider to be an excessive amount… 15 more than we need.
“And we still need four or five different positions on the field where we need to strengthen.”
So here is a look at the 15 players most at risk of being axed by Bielsa, either permanently or to be sent out on loan…
Vurnon Anita – Versatile defender signed on a free from Newcastle offered little last season and did not do enough to earn a regular starting role.
Jay-Roy Grot – Dutch youth international did not look up to standard when he played and just is not ready. A loan could be possible.
Caleb Ekuban – The striker found the step up too hard from Albanian football to the English second division and his goalscoring touch deserted him. He clearly is not the answer.
Luke Murphy – Unbelievably still under contract to Leeds despite spending the past two seasons out on loan. An exit this summer seems inevitable.
Andy Lonergan – Back-up goalkeeper was even more of a liability than Felix Wiedwald and if Leeds sign another shot stopper to compete with Bailey Peacock-Farrell, then there is little need for Lonergan.
Marcus Antonsson – Swedish forward spent last season on loan in League One but still did not score prolificly. Like Ekuban, he is not the answer for Leeds and needs a fresh start.
Tyler Denton – Young left-back has been on the fringes of the first team for almost five years now and not broken through. He currently appears no closer.
Pawel Cibicki – Promising winger Cibicki seemed unfairly overlooked last season but two managers both came to the same assessment, that he was not ready for Championship football.
Hadi Sacko – Sacko has had two years at Leeds and appears to be going backwards. They need better options.
Eunan O’Kane – Impressive in his first season, O’Kane took a big step back last year and he is a player who if put up for sale, could generate some interest from Championship clubs.
Ouasim Bouy – Leeds’ mystery man, once considered good enough to play for Juventus, Bouy did not even make the bench for Leeds upon return from his failed loan spell at Cultural Leonesa.
Laurens De Bock – Left-back De Bock did not impress when he joined in January and a poor pre-season could make up Bielsa’s mind.
Conor Shaughnessy – Youngster started last season promisingly under Thomas Christiansen before fading and then getting injured. He would feature in few fans’ preferred XI’s.
Mallik Wilks – Young striker struggled to make an impact on loan at Grimsby in the second half of last season and that does not bode well for his Leeds chances.
Yosuke Ideguchi – Japanese international flopped on loan at Leonesa, and while Leeds will not likely give up on him easily, if Bielsa feels he is not ready, then another loan is likely.
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