'There's an argument' - Jesse Marsch on imminent Leeds United transfer action and current plan - YEP 4/8/22
Leeds United are ‘evaluating’ their transfer options according to Jesse Marsch but admits there is an argument for bringing in an experienced goalkeeper before the deadline.
By Graham Smyth
The Whites are planning to add to their goalkeeping
department next week, as Marsch alluded to in his press conference ahead of the
Premier League opener against Wolves.
Illan Meslier is the club’s undisputed number one and last
season was backed up by fellow youngster and youth international Kristoffer
Klaesson, who has picked up an ankle injury but could be available for this
weekend’s squad.
An experienced custodian is expected to arrive in the next
week but Marsch warns that any new signing must not upset the apple cart.
"I think there’s an argument to have a more established
goalkeeper as a back-up,” said the American.
"Marcos Abad [goalkeeping coach] has created a really
good environment with the goalkeepers. Anyone we bring in we have to be very
clear, there can’t be any friction.”
Marsch had relatively little to add on the club’s transfer
situation in general. The club and its head coach made no secret of the desire
to add another striker this summer but a pursuit of Charles De Ketelaere proved
unsuccessful when the Belgian signed for AC Milan.
Elland Road sources insist that money remains available for
a forward but as Marsch says, the club believe they must be prudent and certain
about any further signings.
“I don’t want to go too much into the transfer situation,
because it detracts a little from the group we have, but we’re trying,” he
said.
"We’ve done a really good job with the guys we’ve
brought in so far. We’re being really precise with what we need in the next
steps. We have time, I think we’ll make one addition next week and we’re still
looking at what’s out there.”
The club’s majority owner Andrea Radrizzani has been in
Leeds this week for transfer discussions and Marsch says the Italian has been true
to his word so far this summer.
“When we’ve made plans he’s carried them out and invested
heavily,” said Marsch.
"Right now we’re trying to be prudent. We were very
sure in every transfer, we attacked in this window - now we’re evaluating. I
think every manager wants more money that’s not a big secret. Good players make
good managers, not the other way round, we really like our team and we’ll be
intelligent with how we add in the next weeks.”