Daniel Wales and Lee Sobot look at what Leeds United may need in January.
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00:00Looking at whether Leeds perhaps need strengthening in the January transfer window, in particular in that sort of attacking midfielder, number 10 slot, because of course for large parts of the season they've either played with Ethan Ampadu, Ilya Gruev, and then when they got injured you've had Joe Rothwell and you've had Ailton Arca as well, and all of those are sort of defensively minded central midfielders.
00:26Obviously you sold Routier to Brighton in the summer and he sort of was in that role last season at least, and you've not really replaced him to be honest, and so do Leeds need someone who can unlock defences in the middle of the park?
00:43Because you've got enough wingers, you're fine there to be honest, you've got enough defensive central midfielders, but you've not really got that sort of attacking number 8 or number 10 even, who can unlock the door a little bit when Leeds perhaps are faced with a team who are sitting in deep, which let's be honest happens a lot because of the way Leeds are and the way other teams are, and that can be a frustration to Leeds.
01:03So is that something you think they'll actively look for in January?
01:07I definitely think they should do, whether they do or not remains to be seen, I'm sure they'll certainly look. Daniel Farker always says, I think the phrase he always uses is, we've got to stay awake in the transfer market, and I'm sure they will do.
01:20We'll probably have this whole thing about January not being the ideal time to buy players, but I think every club says that, and I think that is true, but equally I don't think it's an exaggeration to suggest that getting another attacking option or number 10 might end up being the difference, it might well be.
01:35And I think when you're talking about the whole package of midfield and attacking midfield, I think Leeds will almost certainly be fine in terms of a centre midfield point of view, because obviously it looks like they're going to continue to play basically two midfielders in front of the back four.
01:49It's a number 10 and up front, and kind of like almost like a combination between the two positions really, where you feel like they probably could do with a different option.
01:57You know, you don't want to pick out one player, but I mean, it's going to be picked out because Daniel Farker keeps playing him there. He's playing Brendan Aronson there as his number 10.
02:04And basically, I mean, you know, his work rate's fantastic, he causes problems and stuff, but the end product hasn't been there enough.
02:13And, you know, there's been too many games where you are right, where Leeds are facing a low block and stuff, and they just need something to sort of unpick these teams a little bit more, and another option in there would definitely not go amiss.
02:25I mean, obviously, wherever they go for that, you know, and who they can get and how much they cost, it all remains to be seen.
02:30Let's not forget that when the January window comes around as well, obviously, we'll all be talking about who Leeds should go and buy.
02:35Leeds United have got very, very good players, so people will be after their players as well. Let's not forget that.
02:40I mean, that definitely almost certainly will be the case. But yeah, I think it's definitely something they should do.
02:45I think it's, as I say, it could end up proving the difference.
02:47The problem I feel at the moment is that there doesn't almost feel like a massive natural alternative to Brendan Aronson.
02:53And when you're sort of doing the predicted lineups, you're always putting Aronson in there because you just know Daniel Farke is going to play him in there.