Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa has suggested to Leeds Live that the club may not invest heavily in new players in the January transfer window.
What’s the story?
The Whites suffered a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur away from home at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League yesterday.
A number of Leeds players were missing from the game.
Patrick Bamford, Luke Ayling, Robin Koch, Rodrigo and Raphinha all were out.
What Marcelo Bielsa has said
After the game, Bielsa was asked if Leeds plan to sign players in the January transfer window due to their injury problems.
Bielsa responded, as quoted in Leeds Live: “In reference to the amount of players we have in the squad, it’s not only about the amount of players but the quality of the players that form the squad.
“So the players of a level for any position they cost as a minimum between £20-30million.
“So in an institution like Leeds who has invested a lot in players with the first year and also in the second year, to imagine that we could increase the power of our professional group shouldn’t be evaluated without looking at the economic possibilities.
“It’s true, we haven’t been able to count on Koch for a long period of time, who had a problem in his pelvis. Bamford’s ankle has also been a long injury, Ayling’s knee has also been a long injury.
“After there are injuries that are shorter and more common, so I have the feeling that we should only bring in players if they are better than what we already have and whether it’s normal to demand an investment in a team that’s invested so much already.
“As you say, hopefully we can resolve this with the recovery of the players who are absent. And it’s also by chance that the injuries we pick up are by players who all play in the same position and period.”
No January signings for Leeds United?
Bielsa’s comments suggest that Leeds are unlikely to make big-money signings in the January transfer window.
Now, of course, in football, nothing is set in stone.
We know that.
If Leeds suffer a couple of more injuries or results do not improve, then Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta could delve into the January transfer market.
Leeds have already been linked with Chelsea attacking midfielder Ross Barkley.
The problem with signing a player in the January transfer window is that there is a risk that they may not hit the ground running.
Moreover, clubs are very reluctant to sell their best players in the middle of the season.
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