Leeds United and the next step: why better recruitment will be essential - Guardian 19/10/21
Marcelo Bielsa’s squad has a brilliant core but it lacks depth. Leeds cannot afford any more mistakes in the transfer window
By Martin Laurence
Martin Laurence
Having picked up a long-awaited first win of the season
before the international break, Leeds fans would have expected their side to
kick on, starting with their trip to Southampton on Saturday. Instead, they put
in a performance that was completely out of character, failed to have a shot on
target, lost 1-0 and are now 17th in the table.
Leeds went to St Mary’s without some of the players who
helped them achieve an outstanding top-half finish in their first season back
in the Premier League. The good news is that, even though Luke Ayling will be
out for another month with a knee injury, Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford
should be back in time for their league match against Wolves on Saturday or the
trip to Arsenal in the League Cup next Tuesday.
Ayling, Phillips and Bamford played important roles in the
club’s promotion and they remain pivotal to the team’s success in the Premier
League under Marcelo Bielsa. The way that they – and Illan Meslier, Liam
Cooper, Stuart Dallas and Jack Harrison – have taken to top-flight football has
been extremely impressive. However, the club’s recruitment in that time has
been less so.
That is, of course, with the exception of Raphinha, the most
important absentee at St Mary’s. The winger has dazzled since his £17m arrival
from Rennes last October and has now been recognised on the biggest stage of
all. The 24-year-old made his Brazil debut in the international break and
sparkled. He came on as a substitute against Venezuela, set up two goals and
won a penalty as Brazil came from behind to win 3-1. And then, in his first
start, he scored two goals as Brazil beat Uruguay 4-1. It would not be a
surprise if he were a regular starter for the Seleção at the World Cup next
year.
Leeds looked toothless without him at the weekend. They
mustered just three shots against Southampton, none of which were on target –
and that was against a side that had not won a game all season. It was a
worrying preview of what life might look like if Raphinha leaves next year.
Leeds are not in the financial position to turn down a big offer. So, if they
cash in on the Brazilian – on whom they could make a profit in excess of £50m –
they must spend the money more wisely than they have since returning to the top
flight.
Most of their recent signings have been disappointing. Robin
Koch and Diego Llorente have both had a torrid time with injuries since joining
the club last year, meaning neither have been able to consistently prove their
worth. Rodrigo, the club’s £30m record signing, has been underwhelming to say
the least – in his 37 games for Leeds he has only scored seven goals, none of
which have come this season. And this summer’s arrivals, Junior Firpo and
Daniel James, are yet to make a serious impact.
All in all, there is a real lack of strength in depth in the
Leeds squad. Raphinha would be a big loss if he were to leave, but a big-money
sale can help a club to address their lack of depth. Aston Villa were forced to
do just that in the summer following Jack Grealish’s £100m move to Manchester
City. Leeds may have to follow suit. Liverpool are said to admire Raphinha and,
if he can maintain his electric start to international football, there will be plenty
of clubs from beyond the Premier League lining up with offers.
Leeds need to add more quality in the middle and the top end
of the pitch. Relying on Bamford to remain fit and in form is a risk. They also
need some better cover for Phillips. The England midfielder has missed 12 games
in the Premier League since the start of last season and Leeds have lost nine
of them.
Leeds’ problems are not just about personnel. Opponents are
adopting different tactics against Leeds this season to negate their strengths.
There has also been a trend of teams allowing Leeds more of the ball and, in
turn, they do not have to endure the intense press for which Bielsa’s side are
renowned. Leeds are averaging 58.5% possession but they are being found wanting
in possession when it comes to breaking teams down.
Finding that precise pass through a compact defence was
something Pablo Hernández was charged with doing so often in the Championship
and Leeds have never really replaced his guile. They have gone from boasting
the sixth highest xG in the Premier League last season to ranking 17th this
time around – in line with their standing in the table. Their intensity when
not in possession has also dropped off a little, with 26.7 tackles and
interceptions per game combined down from last season’s 30.9. Meanwhile, Leeds
have conceded the most shots in the entire division, at 17 per game.
Their dip in performance so far this season can be
attributed in part to temporary absences, but the concern will be what happens
if those absences are made permanent. Prizing Phillips from his boyhood club
may take some doing but offers will surely come in for a player who has proven
instrumental not only for Leeds but for England.
Strip the best players from any side and, guess what, they
are worse off. However, the drop-off in quality in the Leeds team is stark when
Phillips and Raphinha are not playing. Both should be back for the visit of
Wolves, which is a huge cause for optimism. With both available, the team is
stable – and stability is exactly what Leeds have lacked for years. Making sure
they are equipped to cope without their first-choice players will be key to
improving their position in the table. Improving their recruitment is paramount
– especially if Phillips or Raphinha go.
