Leeds United must move quickly to bring in fresh players, as evidenced by their acquisition of a brand-new defense.
Leeds United supporters are growing impatient as a result of their team’s lack of transfer activity and Daniel Farke’s decision to hold off on adding any players despite the mounting pressure of deadline day.
Although there are plenty of players who could move to West Yorkshire and strengthen the Championship titans during this transfer window—Daiki Hashioka and Ryan Giles, in particular, have both been strongly linked to other teams—Farke and company maintain their composure in the face of no new arrivals.
In an interview with the media on Wednesday, the German manager remained reticent about what to expect on deadline day. Nevertheless, Leeds ought to move forward and get this center-back to strengthen the Whites’ defense, which will be without Pascal Struijk when they travel to Bristol City on Friday night.
Leeds is still looking for a center back.
During this quiet transfer window, strengthening the defense has been Leeds’ top goal. Nat Phillips, Chris Mepham, and many more players are rumored to be targets, and Leeds wants to bolster their center-back depth.
The promotion-chasing Whites, however, aren’t giving up on their long-term defensive target, Ben Godfrey, just yet, even though he unexpectedly started for Everton last night in the Premier League despite being barred by Sean Dyche from Goodison Park.
Leeds has made two loan bids to the Toffees that have already been rejected, according to Football Insider. As the clock approaches the window closing and Farke’s team starts to show signs of desperation, the west Yorkshire team may make one more attempt to sign Godfrey.
Godfrey’s potential role on the Leeds squad
Should Leeds ultimately succeed in acquiring the 26-year-old defender, it may be the demise of Charlie Cresswell at Elland Road, as Godfrey would rise even higher in the hierarchy and flourish in his new environment.
When the former Canary joins the second-tier team, he may very probably start for the Whites XI right away because Farke had to substitute Liam Cooper in the FA Cup match against Plymouth Argyle.
Since Struijk’s recovery from an injury has not been specified, Godfrey, if signed, would replace their star Dutchman before reserve player Cresswell.
The present Toffees defender may be eager to succeed at the level once more on a temporary basis with Leeds in order to revitalize his career and add another promotion to his resume. He assisted Norwich City in winning promotion the last time he played at the level under Farke’s direction.
While playing for Everton on Tuesday night, the 26-year-old shown clear class that will assist strengthen Leeds’ thin back four in the league below. He won six duels and completed four tackles to contribute to Dyche’s team’s clean sheet at Craven Cottage during the scoreless draw.
In addition to playing right back during this impressive performance, Godfrey, 26, is also a versatile defender who Leeds could be able to sign for the remainder of the season.
Football writer James Whaling even called the former Norwich City defender a “monster” during his prime years on the Merseyside team because of his unwavering gritty style of charging into duels and confrontations.
Conversely, giving an untested defender like Cresswell greater playing time now, as games get closer to the finish line and become increasingly important, would be a huge gamble.
Farke needs the best team he can muster right now. While Gary Rowett called Cresswell “excellent” during his formative loan switch to Millwall last season, it makes more sense to try and get the £75k-a-week Everton defender in ahead of the Whites young player in an attempt to make Leeds automatic promotion material.
