Leeds United must adapt Jesse Marsch’s side in the January transfer window after a tough season so far. So, here are four players for the Whites to now sell, including Mateusz Klich.
Marsch led the Elland Road natives to Premier League safety on the final day of last season after replacing Marcelo Bielsa. But since Leeds claimed a 2-1 win at Brentford in May, they have not broken clear of the relegation zone. Instead, another lengthy fight is on the cards.
Just two points separated Leeds from the relegation zone as the top-flight hit pause for the World Cup in Qatar. Although the Whites are among the small clutch of teams to only play 14 games to their rivals’ 15. No club below the Elland Road side in the table has played 14.
Jesse Marsch must sell some players to kickstart Leeds’ Premier League season
But Marsch oversaw just four wins and three draws over Leeds’ 14 Premier League fixtures so far this season. The West Yorkshire side also went two months without winning a single game between edging Chelsea 3-0 on August 21 to winning 2-1 at Liverpool on October 29.
A key issue for Leeds that Marsch will have to address in January is his reliance on Rodrigo to score. The Whites have hit the net 22 times so far this term, which is not a dire haul. But Rodrigo provided nine of those, ahead of Crysencio Summerville (4) and Luis Sinisterra (2).
Only AFC Bournemouth (32), Nottingham Forest (30) and Southampton (27) had conceded more goals than Leeds (26), as well. And Marsch faces a fraught restart to the season away to defending Premier League champions Manchester City come Wednesday, December 28.
So, Marsch must now try to sell some of Leeds’ less desirable players during the upcoming January transfer window. HITC Football takes a look at four options the Whites could sell…
Mateusz Klich headlines the Leeds United players for Jesse Marsch to sell in January
Klich headlines the Leeds players for Marsch to sell come January. The 32-year-old has only owned a reserve role in the American’s plans at Elland Road so far this season. All 11 of his Premier League appearances, totalling just a mere 188 minutes, have come as a substitute.
The 41-cap Poland international also played no role in the Whites’ small bounce in results before the World Cup. Klich could only watch from the bench as Leeds ended their winless run at Liverpool and then beat Bournemouth 4-3. He also has no goals or any assists so far.
With a longest appearance of 31 minutes against Brighton & Hove Albion in August and at Brentford in September, his future appears aware from West Yorkshire. MLS insider Tom Bogert also reports Klich could head stateside with DC United pushing to secure a transfer.
Leeds United should start looking to sell Junior Firpo among their outbound players
Leeds should also start looking to sell Junior Firpo among their outbound players over the January transfer window. The Whites are so far yet to see the £13m they paid Barcelona in July 2021 payoff. The 26-year-old has appeared just 30 times in all competitions for them.
Firpo has also only featured three times this term after suffering an injury in pre-season in July. Now, he finds himself behind natural centre-half Pascal Struijk in the pecking order at Leeds. The Whites have also now rewarded Struijk with a new contract through until 2027.
Struijk’s contract is well deserved for the performances he has delivered this season. Firpo, on the other hand, has regularly struggled to impress during his games for the Whites thus far. His defensive skill is often questionable and two assists show little input in their attack.
Adam Forshaw should feature among the players Leeds United look to sell in January
Adam Forshaw should feature among the players Leeds look to sell in January, as well. The 31-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is unlikely to see the Whites use their option to extend his terms. He has only featured in three league matches this season.
All three of his top-flight appearances have also come from the bench and all came during August. Marsch did not have the midfielder available from the start of September after he twisted his ankle. So, any bids could be enticing for a player due to be a free agent in June.
Jesse Marsch’s lack of faith should spell the end for Alfie McCalmont at Elland Road
Marsch’s lack of faith in Alfie McCalmont before the World Cup break should spell the end for the midfielder when Leeds look to sell players in January. The 22-year-old did not make any appearances at the first-team level during the opening months of the 2022/23 season.
The four-cap Northern Ireland international did not even make the bench for any of Leeds’ 14 Premier League games. While Marsch omitted McCalmont from his matchday squad at home to Barnsley in the EFL Cup before watching their 1-0 defeat at Wolves on the bench.
Marsch forever looking away from the Leeds product has left McCalmont with two senior appearances for them so far. He earned each appearance back in 2019 under Bielsa in the EFL Cup, as well. The midfielder has never featured in a Premier League or FA Cup squad.
A loan move to Morecambe over the 2021/22 season clearly failed to show Marsch that McCalmont was ready for Leeds. So, with his contract due to expire in 2024, another loan transfer may not be the right fit and the Whites should now start to try and move him on.
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