Wood joins Leeds - Who's next?
Article by Adam Denton
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With the signing of prolific Championship goalscorer Chris wood announced and introduction of new manager Uwe Rösler Leeds look likely to change styles, from their standard 4-1-2-1-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation to Rösler's preferred 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 formations. Leeds have already added young American under 23 international Charlie Horton to their team, Young Scottish striker Lee Erwin who helped Motherwell destroy Rangers in the Scottish division 1 play-off final and the return of Sol Bamba who impressed on loan last season from Palermo and quickly became a fan favourite.
Full back
Towards the end of the season Sam Byram played more of an attacking role as right winger and under Rösler I can see him playing in a more advanced role and being a part of the front 3 in attack. This leaves Scott Wootton, who is a more popular centre back, but did the job there last season. Wootton lacks the ability to get forward but is strong in defence. I think it’s a position where Leeds need to add some pace and have been linked with Tendayi Darikwa, a quick, strong full back who's made over 100 appearances for Chesterfield and is still only 23 years old. Leeds have also been linked with an audacious signing of world class full back Álvaro Pereira from Inter Milan. Pereira has just finished international duty with Uruguay in the Copa America and will now be looking at where he is going to play his football next season. Pereira is player who would most likely suit a championship team like QPR or a Premiership team like Sunderland, but if the move did happen it would excite the fans and show some much needed ambition from Leeds after their 15th place finish last season.
Midfield
Another ambitious signing would be free agent Joey Barton. Barton has an explosive attitude, a bit like former Leeds united fan favourite Vinnie Jones. Following the release of Rodolph Austin the Leeds midfield is lacking strength, determination and experience which Barton would bring back to the team. Some fans are against the signing because of Barton’s on and off field problems, but for me he would be a great signing and possibly one the best championship transfers of the summer. The main issue with the Barton transfer is the possible wage that Leeds would have to pay the former QPR player, which is expected to be well over a million a year. The deal might actually be dependent on the transfer of previous Leeds United midfielder Fabien Delph, who could be on his way to Manchester City, which would see Leeds get about £1.5 million from the deal.
Winger
The only position that’s been more vacant then the mangers role under Cellino’s reign is a quality winger. The last good winger in a United shirt was Robert Snodgrass who departed for Norwich in July 2012. One possible deal is a swap deal for Jamie Murphy of Sheffield United, and would see Billy sharp move in the opposite direction and return to his former club. Murphy bagged 12 goals last season from the winger’s position and could add much needed goals and width to the Leeds team. Also Leeds have been linked with another ambitious bid for former Juventus winger Simone Pepe who has been released by the Italian champions. Pepe has made over 200 appearances in Serie A but is 31 and has struggled with injury problems recently. Pepe could add much needed experience in the young Leeds united side but with his injury problems and the big wage that he will demand I don’t think he would be a good fit for Leeds at this current time.
Hopefully Leeds can free up some funds by getting rid of the Steve Morison who seems surplus to requirements with the signing of Chris wood. Billy sharp could also leave Elland Road and return to former employers Sheffield united who seem interested in the striker.
Could this be Leeds united season to get back to the promised land of the top tier? I'm not sure, but with this promising start to the transfer window I've a renewed faith.
MOT
© e-Media Group 2015 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of @e_media_group
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With the signing of prolific Championship goalscorer Chris wood announced and introduction of new manager Uwe Rösler Leeds look likely to change styles, from their standard 4-1-2-1-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation to Rösler's preferred 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 formations. Leeds have already added young American under 23 international Charlie Horton to their team, Young Scottish striker Lee Erwin who helped Motherwell destroy Rangers in the Scottish division 1 play-off final and the return of Sol Bamba who impressed on loan last season from Palermo and quickly became a fan favourite.
Full back
Towards the end of the season Sam Byram played more of an attacking role as right winger and under Rösler I can see him playing in a more advanced role and being a part of the front 3 in attack. This leaves Scott Wootton, who is a more popular centre back, but did the job there last season. Wootton lacks the ability to get forward but is strong in defence. I think it’s a position where Leeds need to add some pace and have been linked with Tendayi Darikwa, a quick, strong full back who's made over 100 appearances for Chesterfield and is still only 23 years old. Leeds have also been linked with an audacious signing of world class full back Álvaro Pereira from Inter Milan. Pereira has just finished international duty with Uruguay in the Copa America and will now be looking at where he is going to play his football next season. Pereira is player who would most likely suit a championship team like QPR or a Premiership team like Sunderland, but if the move did happen it would excite the fans and show some much needed ambition from Leeds after their 15th place finish last season.
Midfield
Another ambitious signing would be free agent Joey Barton. Barton has an explosive attitude, a bit like former Leeds united fan favourite Vinnie Jones. Following the release of Rodolph Austin the Leeds midfield is lacking strength, determination and experience which Barton would bring back to the team. Some fans are against the signing because of Barton’s on and off field problems, but for me he would be a great signing and possibly one the best championship transfers of the summer. The main issue with the Barton transfer is the possible wage that Leeds would have to pay the former QPR player, which is expected to be well over a million a year. The deal might actually be dependent on the transfer of previous Leeds United midfielder Fabien Delph, who could be on his way to Manchester City, which would see Leeds get about £1.5 million from the deal.
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Winger
The only position that’s been more vacant then the mangers role under Cellino’s reign is a quality winger. The last good winger in a United shirt was Robert Snodgrass who departed for Norwich in July 2012. One possible deal is a swap deal for Jamie Murphy of Sheffield United, and would see Billy sharp move in the opposite direction and return to his former club. Murphy bagged 12 goals last season from the winger’s position and could add much needed goals and width to the Leeds team. Also Leeds have been linked with another ambitious bid for former Juventus winger Simone Pepe who has been released by the Italian champions. Pepe has made over 200 appearances in Serie A but is 31 and has struggled with injury problems recently. Pepe could add much needed experience in the young Leeds united side but with his injury problems and the big wage that he will demand I don’t think he would be a good fit for Leeds at this current time.
Hopefully Leeds can free up some funds by getting rid of the Steve Morison who seems surplus to requirements with the signing of Chris wood. Billy sharp could also leave Elland Road and return to former employers Sheffield united who seem interested in the striker.
Could this be Leeds united season to get back to the promised land of the top tier? I'm not sure, but with this promising start to the transfer window I've a renewed faith.
MOT
© e-Media Group 2015 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of @e_media_group
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