Football News: EFL SIGNINGS FOR LEEDS UNITED

In the unfortunate circumstance that Leeds United don't get promoted, it's likely that there will be wholesale changes within the squad. There will be a discernable shift in targets should this happen, where focus should be on rebuilding with a young team, with dashes of older experienced heads and a few slightly more risky punts who may really find their feet at EFL level.

Reports would suggest Leeds will not sign on loan defensive rock, Joe Rodon, should they stay in the EFL. Whereas suitors for Ilan Meslier, Pascal Struijk, Willy Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville and Giorginio Rutter won't be hard to come by. I can also see interest in Junior Firpo and big clubs are already circling for teenage sensation Archie Gray, which will make it somewhat difficult to keep the starlet.

Although there is no option-to-buy clause, I'd be inclined to make an offer for Connor Roberts, who appears to have settled at the club and is a great option at right back at EFL level.

My scouting will involve some calculated risk taking with young, capable talent, plus some slightly more seasoned players with experience in the English game.

This is very much a squad rebuild with the intention of finding players capable of vying for the league.

With so many players to get through, it won't be as in-depth as previous scouting reports. These reports will be concise, where the key factors will be noted for why they would be a good fit for Leeds United.

Regard this as a shortlist of players we should be looking at - rather than buying or loaning them ALL.

ANTHONY PATTERSON - 24 - GK - Sunderland

Patterson is an excellent shot stopper with quality ball handling and a commanding presence. The Sunderland stopper also provides a calmness in his play, too. Something which Meslier hasn't shown us with regularity. Statistically Patterson has over 4 goals prevented to Meslier's -4.49, meaning an 8+ goal swing. Whilst he's also clocked 13 clean sheets in a struggling Sunderland team. Patterson's distribution sees him score slightly higher and much higher than Meslier on his longer passes and chipped passes, too. Something Meslier has had issues with this season. Should he move to Leeds he's more than capable of fitting into Farke's system of playing out from the back. His performance against Leeds in the tie at Elland Road really sold me on him and I think he'd be a great signing for us. Sunderland seem to have taken him as far as they can and he would provide pure - muchly needed - profit for them, having come through their youth ranks.

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RONNIE EDWARDS - 21 - CB - Peterborough

With Posh missing out on promotion this season, there are a few players who can definitely make the step up to Champo level, with Edwards being one of them. The ball-playing CB has a commanding stature and brilliant positional sense whether for his defensive duties or receiving passes. Edwards is dominant in the air, but also a strong tackler and passer of the ball who bares similarities to John Stones, being he can do it all (albeit at a lower level) . The 21-year-old is a proper talent who I can't see staying in League 1 after this season's performances. A complete modern centre back who could excel given the opportunity to play at a higher level. It's believed Posh have slapped a £10m price tag on Edwards, but there's certainly room for negotiation given his contract is up in 2025 and Peterborough have now lost in the League 1 play offs.

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SEBASTIÁN CÁCERES - 24 - CB - Club America

Caceres is a pacy, tenacious and resolute centre back who can play ball. The Uruguayan is rated highly by Marcelo Bielsa and Ange Postecoglou, and he certainly has the capabilities to function well for a team in one of Europe's top leagues. Napoli, Spurs and Torino have shown previous interest, but that seems to have died down recently, leaving the door open for a move which would guarantee him first team football. The Bielsa links could play a factor for a player looking to develop in the English game, as he's undoubtedly destined for a top league further down the line. Right now he'd be a perfect fit for a possession dominant team playing in a physical league. It's believed Club America would take around £5m for his services, which would be a great investment, even if we only got one season out of him before he moved on.

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ILAY CAMARA - 21 - RB/ RWB - RWD Molenbeek

Ilay Camara is an Anderlecht youth product and former winger, who's made a surprisingly good conversion to full back. Camara still loves to get up the pitch, overlapping whenever possible, but he's also seamlessly picked up some solid defensive habits, especially this season. He's pacy as well, meaning he can cover a lot of ground to recover the ball, get across to cover the centre backs or get back goalside if caught out of position - although he is generally very good positionally. Camara would be a great option as an understudy to Roberts, with the likelihood of challenging for that first team spot as the season progresses. He also offers something different off the bench as he does like to run at players with the ball and help the winger out by overlapping to make space further up the pitch - something which we have severely lacked at right back this season. With 3 goals and 7 assists for a relegation threatened club, Camara is a marauding talent who we could pick up for around £2m.

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HARRISON BURROWS - 22 - LB - Peterborough

The second Peterborough player on this list, Harrison Burrows would have been available on a free had Posh not exercised their right to a one year contract extension on him. Burrows has a wand of a left peg and he's a proactive left back who enjoys breaking and getting play moving forward. His prudent crossing ability is inviting for attackers and this signing would alleviate some of the fan's that, in hindsight, bemoaned us losing Leif Davis. Burrows has 12 goals and 17 assists in all comps. Defensively he's shown intelligence in his positional sense, managing to block the more direct passing lanes and intercept dangerous balls. His tackling ranks him in the top 80th percentile and he has won 49% of his ground duels this season, which are both respectable numbers for a full back. Suffice to say, Burrows can play both sides of the role. With 12 months left on his contract it's believed £3m would secure his services.

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CHARLIE TAYLOR - 30 - LB - Burnley

Every Leeds fan if a certain age should know Charlie Taylor. The former Leeds players has enjoyed a spell at Burnley over the past 7 seasons, with varying success. With his contract coming to an end with them, it'd be a good time to bring the Yorkshire lad back to the club. He's defensively responsible, can cross well and get up and down the left flank. Plus he would add some vital experience to the squad. Let him and Burrows battle it our for first choice left back and see how it goes. Taylor would be a solid signing for no money, similar to Sam Byram last season.

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ALAN MINDA - 20 - LW/ RW - Cercle Brugge

Minda has shown impressive vertical running, with an innate ability to glide past opponents when he's facing the goal. The directness in his dribbling gives defenders fits. An incisive winger who creates a lot of opportunity for himself and his teammates, he'd be a steal if a deal could be struck with Cercle Brugge. Operating primarily as a right winger, Minda is a versatile asset who can play either wing with relative ease. Personally, I prefer him as an inverted left winger driving into the box as he has the ability to take on fullbacks on the outside or inside, often causing them commitment issues with challenging. Transfermarkt value £3.4m.

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RAFIK GUITANE - 24 - RW - Estoril Praia

Guitane has drawn comparisons in his play to Riyad Mahrez from well regarded scouts and plenty of Algerian fans on social media. The inverted right winger has a majestic touch, is press resistant and a cracking dribbler with an innate ability to beat a man in one on one duels. To creat openings, he's certainly more inclined to isolate then dribble at the opposition rather than try find a pass, although he does have a solid range of passing. The Algerian international is being looked at by some of Europe's bigger clubs, but a move to Leeds would provide a step up from Estoril, while offering him far more opportunity for regular first team football than becoming a bit-part player in a higher league. Buying Guitane would certainly add a constant threat down our right hand side, and I'm a fan of having an inverted option along with having a natural right-footed right winger in the squad, too. Would give us different looks and impact from the bench having both options available. Guitane's Transfermarkt value is a nominal £3.4m.

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CALLUM O'HARE - 26 - AM - Coventry

O'Hare has the ability to be a game-changer. A tricky and forceful dribbler that salivates at the opportunity to run at opponents and force them to make mistakes. He loves to put the opposition under duress when he has the ball at his feet. He's a keen contributor on the goals front, too, with a natural ability to crash the box. O'Hare is also a team player who will run himself into the ground for the cause, something us Leeds fans love to see. A quality passing range and the vision to match. This signing should be a no-brainer considering the Coventry man is available on a free this summer.

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KARAMOKO DEMBELE 21 - AM - Stade Brest

Dembele is a diminutive talent and former England youth wonderkid excelling at League 1 club Blackpool, on loan from Stade Brestois. Dembele is incredibly press resistant with exceptional ball control. The term 'velcro feet' springs to mind. Dembele is the owner of a cultured left foot that can thread a pass through the eye of a needle. For his short stature he also plays well into the physical aspects of the game, showing decent strength with his back to goal. While Dembele wouldn't be a like for like replacement for Giorginio Rutter style-wise, he has played that 10 role brilliantly this season and would offer a different dynamic to Rutter, whilst also appearing to be a better decision maker with his final balls. Something which has hurt Rutter at points this season.

Demebele is destined for good things after kickstarting his career once again. A pure talent who looks to take real joy in playing football. The 21-year-old would fit in effortlessly into a top EFL Championship team and Leeds would be smart to show interest this summer, should Brest want to cash in on the youngster.

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DIVIN MUBAMA - 19 - CF - West Ham

Mubama has serious physical presence on the pitch. He can hold the ball up, interlink well and he challenges in the air very well. He has instinctual movement and finishing in the box, two traits you absolutely love to see in a number 9. With West Ham allowing him to leave on a free, he has the potential to become a frequent goal scorer at EFL level, and the move could do wonders for his progression. Mubama is such a clean striker of the ball and he is more than capable of pinging goals from outside of the box, too, which just adds another string to his bow. A capable goal scorer with his head, he'd also add that extra threat in the box from crosses and from set pieces. Mubama is a player I'd be more than comfortable to take a punt on, given there is no initial outlay for the young finisher.

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MATHIAS KVISTGAARDEN - 22 - CF - Brondby

Kvistgaarden would be a quality purchase as the young Dane would provide speed, athleticism and highly sought after finishing ability. All things the team has lacked with current first choice centre forward, Patrick Bamford. Kvistgaarden is an accurate shooter with 24 of his 32 shots hitting the target, along with a 25% conversion rate. Despite not being the tallest he also possesses smart aerial prowess thanks to positional awareness, . He's press resistant and aggressive presser off the ball and a solid interlinker with accomplished feet. Kvistgaarden brings all of Bamford's off the ball qualities, whilst further improving on his on the ball duties. I'd be more than happy to see him in a Leeds shirt. And for the reported £6m asking price he'd be a very astute signing.

Author: Ryan Thomas.

Written by Dillinger May 19 2024 14:27:15