Phil Hay has provided a worrying update on Leeds’ transfer activity after the injury to Pablo Hernandez last Saturday.
What’s the word?
Pablo Hernandez was withdrawn in the early exchanges of Leeds’ clash with Fulham at the weekend, being dealt a huge blow before the match had even gathered momentum.
The Spaniard is usually the main creative hub in Marcelo Bielsa’s team and without him they lacked the necessary output to come away with three points.
Bielsa admitted after the game that they lacked creativity which is hardly surprising given Hernandez registered 12 assists in 2018/19.
However, despite the lack of options now in the middle of the park, The Athletic’s Leeds correspondent has claimed that midfielders won’t be on their radar in January.
Responding to a question about their choices in midfield, he said: “It is a problem, not least when Alioski is the replacement for Hernandez. That’s not a like for like swap. As for the centre of midfield, there is a definite lack of options with Forshaw injured. Shackleton would be an option too – he’s expected to resume full training next week.”
Then, when asked about strengthening that area of the pitch, Hay claimed:
“It really doesn’t sound like it. Not on the radar at all, or certainly wasn’t when I last asked about January.”
Worrying signs
If anything will hold Leeds back for the rest of the season it will be their selves.
The way they fell away last season, failing to win any of their final four league games says a lot, as does their 3-3 draw with Cardiff over a week ago.
Without Hernandez earlier in the season, Leeds didn’t look overly convincing. They won just two of six games and scored only three times.
Leeds’ xG has been down considerably this season and with players like the 34-year-old missing, it is hardly surprising.
Virtually impossible: Can you name the year all of these Leeds flops arrived at Elland Road?
The Whites’ lack of depth is a common issue, using the third-fewest number of players in the division. Bielsa may be happy with a small squad but the Championship is an arduous campaign.
If Jack Clarke and Eddie Nketiah are recalled, there will be open spaces in terms of their loan quota. Bringing in another creative player could just be the answer in these types of situations.
That, however, appears unlikely after Hay’s comments.
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