Leeds United headed into their first league game with just two fully fit centre-backs. Though a stellar signing is needed, there are also options available in the loan market.
Most clubs spend their pre-season assembling a squad fit for their ambitions. At Leeds United this season it has been no different.
However, apart from a busy week in early July that saw six players join in as many days, the hinges on the Elland Road revolving door seemed to go rusty.
Since then, only ex-Spain international Pablo Hernandez has been brought in. But with Leeds already carrying multiple options in the attacking positions, Pablo was not necessarily needed. Yet his experience, know-how and versatility make him a top signing at this level, as he answered assistant manager Pep Clotet’s call almost a fortnight ago.
While the signings of Marcus Antonsson, Pablo, Hadi Sacko and £3 million man Kemar Roofe add depth in the opposition third, Leeds remain short at the back, as evident in the crushing defeat against QPR.
Leeds United’s players dejected after their humbling defeat at Loftus Road
First-choice defender Liam Cooper is still not match fit, while loan-signing Kyle Bartley looked shaky alongside Sol Bamba, who often has his moments anyway. It is clear Garry Monk needs a leader at the foot of the spine.
That leader may have came in Joel Ekstrand, the ex-Watford defender. However, his move to Elland Road was cancelled with Leeds reportedly only keen on a pay-as-you-play deal due to Swede’s chronic history of injuries, according to Yorkshire Evening Post.
The same paper then reported that Leeds had made an enquiry for Nottingham Forest’s Jack Hobbs. The journeyman centre-half is surplus to requirements under new boss Philip Montanier and was left out of the 4-3 victory over Burton Albion. However, his wage demands remain a stumbling block for a number of Championship clubs.
Instead then, Leeds United should look to take advantage of the loan market once again. With FIFA adapting the rules this season, ’emergency’ loans of two or three months made outside the transfer window have been scrapped. Now, clubs must sign players on longer loan deals.
Indeed, this may harm lower league clubs who suffer an injury crisis in November, for example. However, it should encourage Premier League clubs to loan out their young players in need of first-team experience, rather than keeping them in the U21 League where some players become lost and disillusioned.
Here are three Premier League defenders that Leeds should consider a move for to solve their defensive crisis.
Dominic Ball
Dominic Ball – Tottenham Hotspur
Heavily rumoured with the club last week, Dominic Ball would be an astute signing for Leeds. The Spurs defender spent last season on loan at Rangers as the Ibrox Club returned to the Scottish Premier League.
He had been wanted again by manager Mark Warburton but Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino had been keen on testing the player during the pre-season. However, he has fallen down the pecking order at White Hart Lane, as American youth-international Cameron-Carter Vickers heads into the season as the fourth chance defender.
It therefore looks likely that another loan will be arranged for Ball sooner rather than later. The Championship would be much more competitive than a return to Scotland, and with Monk often giving youngsters a chance, his philosophy would match that of Pochettino’s.
Tosin Adarabioyo
18-year-old Tosin Adarabioyo was something of an unknown quantity before the arrival of Pep Guardiola to Manchester City. However, after having to play Aleks Kolarov in a central position for the most-part of pre-season, the youngster has been given a chance.
Born and bred in Manchester, the 6″5 defender joined City as a nine-year-old. Whilst still only 14 he made his debut for the U18 side and it was not long before he captaining them.
Physically he is ready to compete with anyone having played against players up to four years his senior when representing City’s U21s. He is rapid across the ground and reads the game as good as anyone.
With Guardiola recently admitting to the Manchester Evening News that Adarabioyo could play a part in City’s first-team plans this season, a loan to the Championship seems unlikely. Yet, it remains an avenue Monk could explore as prospect ticks all the boxes required for Leeds.
Manchester City’s Tosin Adarabioyo in action with Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery
Reece Burke
West Ham academy graduate Reece Burke is one of the best English players to be emerging at the moment Having spent last season on loan at Bradford City, Burke made 36 appearances for the Bantams as he earned seven gongs at their end of season awards dinner, including Player of the Year.
Sources close to HITC have told us a move back to Bradford is unlikely, despite interest from the club as Slaven Bilic looks to test him at a higher level.
The Daily Mail reported interest from Manchester City, Southampton and Newcastle, while Bilic has stated that he sees the 19-year-old as part of the future at West Ham, though he must continue his development on loan.
A move to Leeds then could fit the bill. Like Adarabioyo, Burke is tall, quick and likes to play the ball out from the back. Though Burke may have some affinity towards West-Yorkshire rivals Bradford, he would be an astute addition for Garry Monk
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