Leeds United learning from previous mistakes as Marc Roca deal shows recruitment progress - Leeds Live 18/6/22
Roca represents Leeds' third signing of the summer as he follows Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen to Elland Road
In Marc Roca, Leeds United have made their third major
recruit in the space of just three weeks. Brenden Aaronson was the first to
sign on the dotted line, making the move just days after Premier League
survival was secured in dramatic fashion at the Brentford Community Stadium.
It was a deal that was lined up before the end of the season
and Leeds’ survival ensured the final touches to the deal could be made. The
addition of the attacking midfielder certainly sent out the right signals, as
did the deal for Aaronson’s former Red Bull Salzburg teammate Rasmus
Kristensen.
The Denmark international agreed a long-term deal just last
week to bolster the Whites’ defensive numbers and reportedly Leeds snatched him
from under the noses of German giants Borussia Dortmund. Again, it was a sign
of intent as the club moved swiftly to address a gap that needed filling.
And, with pre-season still some time away, the club have
made another addition in the shape of defensive midfielder Roca from Bayern
Munich. The Spanish international is highly thought of at the Allianz Arena and
those at Elland Road will be hoping he can re-ignite his career in the Premier
League after moving swiftly to secure his signature amid some reported interest
from West Ham United.
This isn’t slapdash spending performed in an effort to get
players through the door, either. It’s precise and considered recruitment, with
targets being identified well in advance.
These are players Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch believe can
and will help Leeds up the table next season and away from the race to avoid
relegation, which last season took so much out of them. It seems a number of
lessons have been learned following that 2021-22 campaign, too.
To have three men through the door before Marsch’s first
session of pre-season suggests the club are keen to do things differently this
summer after a frustrating window last year in which Junior Firpo and Dan James
were their only major additions, with James arriving on deadline day. The
Whites then went through the entirety of the January window without adding to
their squad, something which was a huge cause of frustration with supporters.
Due to injuries ocurring across the squad, that inactivity
appeared to leave Leeds short of numbers down the home stretch. Fortunately, it
didn’t prove to be a fatal error as they managed to avoid the drop and the new
additions already seem to ensure that the club will be approaching the new
campaign with a larger group of first-team regulars to select from.
Gaping holes in the squad have been filled and if reports
elsewhere are to be believed, the recruitment drive is showing no signs of
slowing down. With Roca in the bag, the Whites have been linked with a host of
other players in recent days including PSG’s Arnaud Kalimuendo, Man City
youngster Romeo Lavia, Wolves winger Adama Traore and Sander Berge of Sheffield
United.
That sort of action and investment serves to underline the
faith the club have in Marsch, too, who did come in for some criticism from
fans during the run-in. The early business ensures the American will be given
as much time as possible to work with and integrate his new recruits on the
fields of Thorp Arch.
There’s still plenty of work to do and a lot can happen
between now and the transfer window slamming shut at 11pm on September 1, but
right now Leeds are making huge strides towards progress and their third
signing of the summer only reinforces that notion.