FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Leeds United v Leicester City - Elland Road, Leeds, Britain - April 25, 2023 General view of a corner flag inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
Leeds United is still “guaranteed” to recruit a top player in January, but they will need to do every effort to keep important players fit.
Former Scotland international Frank McAvennie, in an exclusive interview with Football Insider, said the West Yorkshire club has a strong starting eleven but lacks the depth to contend for the Championship championship.
After losing to Southampton 1-0 in the play-off final, Leeds’ team was dismantled, and players Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, and Georginio Rutter all signed lucrative Premier League contracts.
Daniel Farke made a last-minute splash in the final week of the transfer window, adding four new players, but with just 23 players, his first team is the smallest in the Championship.
Leeds United’s demanding Championship season will test their fitness.
With two victories and two draws in their first four Championship games, Farke’s team is still undefeated thus far this year.
“They have 11-12-13 players that are good,” McAvennie said to Football Insider.
“If someone is hurt outside of that, everyone is happy to be playing and wants to return to the Premier League,” the statement reads.
“It’s fantastic if they can prevent these players from getting hurt and maintain their fitness.
“The manager is a cunning man; he’ll get everyone employed, and the boys who come in will only have tasks to complete before January.”
“They’ll buy someone in January, I promise.
“Yeah, I have a soft place for them, so I want them to succeed, but I’m sure it won’t happen unless they lose.
“They’ll be taking it carefully, one game at a time, the usual football nonsense. They’re doing okay right now.”
