Could Tim Krul make Leeds United regret not going for him this summer?
Leeds United are coming under criticism for their slow movement with regards to signings this summer. With well less than a month to go before the transfer window shuts, Leeds have only signed two players – Lewis Baker and Jamal Blackman, both on loan from Chelsea.
Much more is needed if the Whites are to challenge for Premier League promotion, even with Marcelo Bielsa at the helm, but at least their goalkeeping situation is much stronger than it was last term.
Blackman and Bailey Peacock-Farrell are big ugprades on Felix Wiedwald and Andy Lonergan, but questions should be asked if Tim Krul impresses at Norwich City this season.
According to HITC Sport, Norwich are set to sign the former Newcastle and Brighton keeper on a Bosman following his release by the Seagulls earlier this month. Still only 30, he is in the prime of his career as a goalkeeper and if Blackman struggles then the inevitable question could and should be asked: why didn’t the Whites go for Krul?
If he recaptures his best form, Krul for free is a much better deal for Norwich than Leeds signing Blackman for the season. The Netherlands international might have endured a rough few years, but he might well be exceptional in the Championship.
He was on £35,000 per week at Brighton [Spotrac], which is a valid reason to stay away, but it seems unlikely that he will earn that at Carrow Road and therefore he might have accepted a wage cut.
Of course, Blackman could be a revelation in West Yorkshire, and for Leeds’ sake you hope that he is because the drawbacks of having weak goalkeepers cost them a lot last season, but if the 24-year-old is anything less than brilliant then maybe, just maybe, Krul would have been the better signing.
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