Leeds United are enduring another troubled Premier League season as they battle to avoid relegation. So, Jesse Marsch should try to re-sign Chris Wood among three former players.
The Whites staved off a return to the Championship at the last chance last season. Yet the Elland Road outfit are again staring at another campaign fighting against the drop despite an influx of new faces this summer. Leeds spent £95.5m but still turned a profit of £9.5m.
Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca and Luis Sinisterra have all proven to be huge hits in West Yorkshire. However, no matter how well they have commanded the midfield or shone from the wings, another injury-plagued term for Patrick Bamford has been costly.
Bamford only managed to play 11 Premier League games last season for two goals and two assists. He spent a combined seven months on the sidelines dealing with ankle, hamstring, and foot injuries. But this season has not been much better following groin and hip issues.
The forward’s frequent trips to the treatment room has left Marsch relying on Rodrigo to carry the goalscoring burden. But the Spaniard is unlikely to carry the Whites to safety on his own. So, Leeds will need to invest in the January sales to strengthen Marsch’s squad.
Wood is one of a few former Leeds players who could aid Marsch’s bid to avoid relegation this season if he can secure deals to re-sign them. So, with that in mind, HITC Football has taken a look at a few options for the Whites boss to consider for the mid-season market…
Chris Wood headlines the former Leeds players for Jesse Marsch to now re-sign
Wood headlines our list of former Leeds players for Marsch to re-sign with his future with Newcastle United uncertain. 90min has reported that Eddie Howe will consider selling the striker in January. The Magpies boss feels his fringe stars can help to bolster their budget.
Howe only signed Wood from Burnley in January 2022 to help the Toon avoid relegation to the Championship. The St James’ Park outfit put their newfound resources to use after the Saudi-led takeover and triggered a £25m release clause in Wood’s contract at Turf Moor.
Yet the New Zealander has only gone on to offer a reserve role behind Callum Wilson and summer signing Alexander Isak. So, a return to Elland Road may appeal to the 31-year-old six years after he left. Burnley paid a club record fee of £15m for the 70-cap Kiwi in 2017.
Wood only spent two seasons with Leeds between his arrival from Leicester City in 2015 to joining Burnley. Yet the attacker produced a stellar record of 44 goals and nine assists over 88 appearances. His haul included netting 27 in 44 Championship games through 2016/17.
Jesse Marsch should look to re-sign Eddie Nketiah in a difficult deal for Leeds
Another former Leeds striker Marsch should look to re-sign is Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal. But any move for the England U21 record goalscorer will prove difficult following Gabriel Jesus undergoing knee surgery. The Brazilian’s absence could offer Nketiah his break this season.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has seldom sought to utilise Nketiah since he signed Jesus from Manchester City over the summer. The £45m forward proved instrumental to their attack at the top of the table. But it also ensured Nketiah would only obtain a seat on the bench.
Arteta has lauded Nketiah as a ‘phenomenal’ player this season, nonetheless. The 23-year-old led Arsenal’s attack in the Europa League with six starts and two goals during six group stage ties. He started fewer times (4) whilst on loan to Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa in 2019.
Jesse Marsch can bolster his midfield again with a return for Matt Grimes
Marsch could also further bolster his midfield by asking Leeds to re-sign a former player in Swansea City captain Matt Grimes. The 27-year-old spent the 2016/17 season on loan with the Whites from the Jacks. But he only featured 12 times whilst plying his trade with them.
Now, though, the former England U21 international is the leader of the engine room at the Swansea.com Stadium. Grimes regularly makes the difference for the Championship squad in setting the tone by seeing plenty of the ball. He also has a key influence on their attacks.
Grimes pulls the strings to set Swansea on course to score from deep-lying positions as he breaks between the lines. He is also not afraid to play bold passes, which could see Marsch push Sinisterra and Aaronson into higher areas where they could feed Bamford or Rodrigo.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
