Tony Dorigo has told The Sun that he sees clear issues with Marcelo Bielsa keeping a small squad and would recommend Leeds United make a few transfers in the January window.
The former Whites defender believes the Elland Road outfit’s recent spate of injuries have highlighted their lack of adequate depth. Bielsa has been without several key players in the Premier League so far this season, including Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips.
Bamford, Luke Ayling and Robin Koch are currently in the Thorp Arch treatment room with no return dates scheduled yet. Leeds have been without Bamford for their last four league fixtures after sustaining a foot injury against Newcastle last month.
Dorigo recommends January transfers
Leeds have scored just three goals in their four top-flight fixtures that Bamford has missed through injury. With Raphinha, Diego Llorente and a Rodrigo penalty accounting for their most recent strikes.
Bielsa has also handed academy talent Joe Gelhardt minutes in recent weeks to try and add goals to his attack. But Dorigo would warn the Argentine against relying on youth too much and recommends Leeds utilise the January transfer window to add a few proven names.
“I do [see issues with keeping a small squad], absolutely,” Dorigo said. “If we are still in trouble come January, one or two players certainly wouldn’t go amiss. I understand why Marcelo sticks to a small squad with a few utility players like Stuart Dallas to fill the gaps.
“There are good youngsters, but you don’t want to expose too many at the same time. So, I still think we could do with a couple [of signings]. When all these injuries happen, then the squad size becomes exposed.
“We can’t afford to lose two full-backs in Luke Ayling and Junior Firpo, and our three best players in Kalvin Phillips, Raphinha and Patrick Bamford. If they are all out, it’s always going to be difficult for us. Against Southampton two-weeks ago, it was one of the most inexperienced benches I’ve seen.”
Should Leeds and Bielsa plot mid-season deals?
While Dorigo recommends Leeds plot mid-season transfers, Bielsa and Director of Football Victor Orta are unlikely to follow suit. That’s because The Athletic recently reported that the Whites chief questions what value is on offer in the January sales.
Instead, Orta would prefer to wait until the summer, as Leeds are also unconvinced winter transfers work for Bielsa. It will likely take an exciting opportunity to emerge for the Elland Road outfit to open the chequebook in January. Or, potentially, find themselves engulfed in a relegation battle and still dealing with a raft of further, and costly, injuries.
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