Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka proved Leeds United have a midfield partnership they can more than trust following the 2-2 draw with Sunderland.
The two new summer signings both started together for the first time at the Stadium of Light following the double blow of losing Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev to injury.
Tanaka and Rothwell had both been brought into compete for that more advanced eight role and add more goals to Daniel Farke‘s side from midfield.
However, with Leeds‘ two holding midfielders out of action long-term, Tanaka was tasked with sitting just in front of the defence at Sunderland, with Rothwell slightly further forward.
Though Leeds’ midfield wasn’t as defensively secure as in weeks gone by, both produced impressive performances at Sunderland. Tanaka was everywhere with and without the ball, while Rothwell was always looking to play forward.
Farke hints at change in Leeds transfer plans
Tanaka and Rothwell certainly look as though they could be Leeds’ first choice partnership for the next few months, but it is a big ask for them to play 90 minutes, week-in, week-out, at the level they showed last night.
As shown by Ampadu and Gruev, injuries can bite at any time and if one of them were to be ruled out for any period of time, Charlie Crew would be the only other option.
Crew is regarded as a top young talent by Farke but clearly isn’t trusted just yet given he has been on the bench several times without getting onto the field.
With Farke speaking for the first time since it was confirmed Gruev would be out for several months, he seemed considerably more open about the possibility of a free agent coming in, as opposed to on Wednesday.
He told Leeds Live: “On the midfielder position, after the horrendous news with Ilia Gruev, my attitude [is] I actually don’t like October signings of free agents. I don’t believe in it, but when the times are strange, you have to think it.
“It’s one of our professional duties to have a look if there is something out there that makes sense because both holding midfielders, both deep sixes, are not available for several weeks and months.
“Ilia will have surgery, by the way, tomorrow, so we hope it will go well and we can speak a bit more concrete about how long he will be out.
“So I hope also that surgery goes well and that we can also use the next two weeks to bring a few players after injuries even a bit closer to the team.
“Yes, it’s definitely one of our professional duties to have a look if there is something, even out of coincidence, out there that would help us in this situation. Yes, we have to do this.
Leeds should look at former target Edouard Michut
A more defensive minded midfielder would be the more preferable option for Leeds in this situation, but they can’t really be too picky in the free agent market.
The majority of the holding players currently available are at the end of their careers and so it would take several weeks for them to get fit after so long out.
As such, Leeds should instead look to bring in Edouard Michut, who is a 21-year-old without a club after opting to terminate his own contract at Adana Demirspor due to unpaid salaries.
Michut was a target of Leeds’ last summer and is a talented number eight who has experience of the Championship at Sunderland.
If he was to come in, he could provide cover and competition for Rothwell in that advanced role, with Crew providing Tanaka with backup in the number four spot.
