Leeds United have had a big summer, but there are big questions over the squad.
Leeds United are preparing for their first pre-season game when they face Guiseley on Saturday.
While the result does not matter and the game is all about fitness, the players who are available – and those who aren’t – highlight key areas which need strengthening in the transfer market.
It has been a big summer so far for Leeds, who in the past month have appointed a new manager, signed a midfielder and goalkeeper, and bought back stadium Elland Road.
Elland Road
Huge progress has been made, but the pre-season game sharpens the focus on weaknesses in the squad ahead of this coming season, one in which they hope to challenge for promotion.
Striker Chris Wood is unavailable this weekend due to his involvement at the Confederations Cup in New Zealand.
There was outcry among supporters when Leeds didn’t add another striker in January. Months on nothing has changed, Leeds are still short.
Competition is needed for Wood; entering the season with Souleymane Doukara and Marcus Antonsson won’t cut it.
Spanish attacker Samu Saiz has been linked, the Yorkshire Eveing Post report, although he is more competition for Pablo Hernandez in the playmaker role than Chris Wood.
The other area in dire need of strengthening is centre-back.
Leeds’ Giuseppe Bellusci scores an own goal and Middlesbrough’s second
The lack of options is so bad that the Yorkshire Evening Post report outcast Giuseppe Bellusci is under consideration for pre-season action.
This is because Pontus Jansson is due back late, but even so, Leeds are desperately short.
Kyle Bartley looks like a no go to return, and Leeds need to sign a replacement, or even two.
The two areas Leeds have strengthened, goalkeeper and midfield, arguably didn’t need it.
If the club do not add another striker and another centre-back they will fall short once again next season.
Their makeshift pre-season squad should underline that to their new manager, and accelerate action to provide solutions.
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