Leeds United have a decimated squad and more matches to play than half the Premier League yet Marcelo Bielsa still appears reluctant to recruit.
Marcelo Bielsa ’s side have played 21 matches so far this season, fewer than most other teams, which means they will have a busier coming schedule and will end up having to play twice a week later in the campaign.
Yet despite the fixture challenge, and despite having to field teenagers, including putting a 15-year-old on the bench, it seems that Bielsa is not overly concerned about beefing up the squad before the transfer deadline on Monday.
Leeds United play Aston Villa away on February 9, then play another 15 matches before Brentford away on May 22, the final day of the season. Meanwhile, key players such as Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo has missed large chunks of the season.
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The absence of Patrick Bamford has been a particular struggle for the team recently, with games passing by that looked winnable due to having no number nine and instead having to play Daniel James, who is a very good winger, but is not a six-yard-box finisher.
On top of that, Newcastle United, who beat Leeds 1-0 last week, are splashing the cash, Everton and Watford have recruited new managers, and Norwich City unexpectedly clawed their way out of the bottom three - Leeds’ seven-point gap to the relegation zone might not be as safe as it seems.
So far, the most substantial rumour when it comes to Leeds’ transfer targets is Brenden Aaronson of Red Bull Salzburg. Leeds are reportedly pursuing the 21-year-old midfielder, but as the hours pass by Leeds fans are no doubt bracing for disappointment.
It may be that Bielsa is shown to be wise in keeping the squad tight, propagating closeness and motivation from within, but it may also be, as the fixtures concertina, that the injuries flare up again and Leeds find themselves in an awful lot of trouble by May.
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