We asked for your Leeds United questions and our Whites writer Beren Cross answered. Read the full transcript of Beren Cross' Q&A below...
Question: There is a lot of debate about a new striker, and it seems to be a challenge which type of profile to approach. Given that we have Bamford (senior striker but with high risk of injury) and Gelhardt (ton of potential but lacking experience), how do you anticipate the rest of the window unfolding? It seems counter intuitive to stifle Joffy's progress by adding a young striker, but that's who we are mostly linked with. Personally I think a loan deal for a proven goal scorer would be the best balance, but any links seem to be shot down quickly. Not long left to go! Thoughts please.
BerenCross: Afternoon. Thanks for the question and balanced argument behind it. Based on the noises we are hearing behind the scenes and in Marsch's press conferences, my gut instinct is they won't add anyone else now unless they suffer a serious injury to a senior player. As you point out yourself, one of their key arguments is avoiding a block in the path of Gelhardt's development. Rodrigo's goals have also pushed him into the debate at the right time for the club to believe he's another reason they don't need another striker.
We can disagree with that approach, and I believe they do need another forward, but this seems to be the route they are going down. I understand there are still forwards out there who do fit the profile they want, but Leeds will only move if they are made available before the window closes.
Q: Hi Beren, do you think Leeds are serious about a left back? We have been linked with loads of players recently and I'm not sure any concrete bids have gone in; with Pascal Strujik doing ok, I am not sure Leeds will open their purse strings for another utility left back. Same with the striker issue especially as Rodrigo has found his shooting boots with Gelhardt, Greenwood, James and possibly Joseph, Perkins as alternatives it wouldn't surprise me if we have no other in-comings. I would take a punt on Diaz for £20million good age, used to physical league and can score. What are your thoughts? A quality left back and a striker addition would be a dream transfer window even though I thought we could have kept Phillips for another season.
BC: You've pretty much hit the nail on the head there. Left-back seems even less likely than a striker when it comes to incomings. As you say, Struijk’s getting by and Firpo is getting closer by the day. You’ve summed up the club’s take on the striker department too. Which Diaz? A striker and left-back would make it a dream window for me too, but it’s looking a tall order based on what’s available in the market for Leeds.
Q: We seem to be linked with another left-back, this time Guerreiro from Dortmund. Have you heard any whispers regarding this one?
BC: I’ve not had any information on Guerreiro specifically, but nothing about that link makes sense. Firpo is their number one left-back, that’s been made abundantly clear to us, so a 28-year-old from Dortmund is not going to come in and sit on the bench or ask for back-up wages. It just doesn’t tally with any of the business they’ve done this summer.
Q: Beren, do you think that the recent contract renewals for the u23s were a reason why we aren't following anymore players up in the transfer market? I understand the club like to see the youth come through but surely we can't let that hold us back from buying players to give us premier League depth. No LB or striker strengthening is criminal in my eyes. Do you also think we are holding back cash for the January window incase we have a huge injury depletion in one position?
BC: I don’t think the contract renewals are a reason why the club hasn’t gone after new signings, but they certainly gave the club confidence these younger faces could be relied upon as squad options through the coming season. Had they not signed those deals, the top brass would have quite rightly had question marks over their plans to continue with Greenwood and Summerville, who were out of contract next summer.
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I don’t believe faith in that trio is holding the club back. Look at the sheer wealth of additions made this summer. They have looked to correct the problems around strength in depth which existed last season. I agree, they need a left-back and striker, but they have faith Firpo will stay fit and will be backed up by Struijk/Hjelde, while Gelhardt is someone they firmly believe is good enough to step in if Bamford is unfit.
I don’t think cash is being held back because January is on their minds, it’s being held back because the players who fit their recruitment profile are not available and they have faith in what they already have in the building.
Q: Going back a few years, Alfie McCalmont was tipped to be Phillips replacement if he left before promotion by Bielsa. Mateusz Klich expected big things from Mateusz Bogusz. Do we know if Marsch rates them? Not seen much of Bogusz for while as been on loan. I believe he was signed as number 10, an area where we've been a short recently.
BC: McCalmont has barely been discussed at any stage by Marsch, though in his defence he hasn’t been asked about the Northern Ireland youth international. He’s 22 now and his loans in the EFL have not suggested he’s ready for Premier League football any time soon. He has another two years on his contract to run, but a permanent move, if not a loan at the very least, seems sensible for the good of his career.
Bogusz was mentioned by Marsch recently and how the Pole is slowly recovering from that knee ligament injury he suffered in Ibiza. The head coach suggested he wanted to take a look at Bogusz before they decided what to do with him. I would not be surprised if he was allowed out on loan again, if not permanently.
Q: As we move towards the end of transfer window. Not forgetting Raphinha and James were signed late in last couple of summer transfers window. With world cup in the winter, players looking to get first team football before then, rather than on bench. Can you see market hotting up? Like if Chelsea sign a forward they could be more willing to let Broja go.
BC: That’s a really good point about players getting itchy feet in the last few days of this window because it’s their last chance to get out to a club where they will play regularly before the World Cup. Leeds do have targets in mind which fit their desired profiles and if they are among those who are made available late in the window then do not be surprised to see them swoop.
Q: Hi Beren. I was a big Bielsa fan - I think my admiration was more to do with his values, humility and my delight that someone pretty different to the usual football manager could succeed where the others failed. Top man. But it does appear to me that Marsch's more effusive and supportive style is bearing some fruit. Bielsa upped the performance of players through tactical systems and fitness. Marsch seems to be improving others through personal man-management. Do you agree with my view from afar? What are the other positive changes you have noticed since March?
BC: Marsch is very different to Bielsa and there are pros and cons to that, of course. As you have seen yourself, he is far more personable with the players and tactile. Virtually everyone gets an arm around the shoulder at some point during matchday and I am sure it’s much the same behind the scenes in training too. There are more one-to-ones in Marsch’s office as he looks to speak personality and privately with the players about everything in their lives. He’s a real man manager and as he has said himself, like a father figure.
Clearly, nothing is going to get anyone onside like cold, hard results on the pitch. Marsch has spoken well in the media since day one, though the quantity of interviews has been toned down since the early weeks of his reign. However, none of those polished interviews count for anything if the team is losing every week. The run-in was tough to watch at times, but the opening matches of this season have been much improved and with that will come warming to Marsch as a head coach.
Q: Hello, Beren. Is Victor Orta willing to recruit additional players to the club? I am now suspicious. If the club doesn't plan to recruit more players, I want you to give me a definite answer, not just like a "right opportunity" which Phil said.
BC: Willing? Yes. Likely to? Probably not. How can anyone other than Radrizzani, Kinnear, Orta or Marsch give you a definitive answer on whether they will sign anyone else? The media can only report what they understand to be true and what those in power are saying on the record. The language on incomings has definitely softened in recent weeks and my understanding is unless there is a serious injury to someone, Leeds are most likely to go with what they have now. They have targets in mind for the right profile, but they are not currently available for transfer. If that changes, Leeds may act. We have another fortnight for so much to change in the market.
Q: It’s absolutely negligent of the board to not get a left-back and a striker. Sick of square pegs in round holes already. Bamford’s injuries are ridiculous, Joffy is injury prone for a young lad, Cooper is another that’s crocked. So as for strengthening, we haven’t.
BC: I take your points. I would like to see a left-back and a striker too, but Radrizzani et al will live and die by the choices they make. The board will have looked at every avenue they could still go down in this window and if it blows up in their faces in those positions this season they know the fan base is going to be very angry.
We may have to agree to disagree on strengthening. They’ve added five senior options who will be good enough to start in the top flight this season, plus two very exciting teenagers in Gyabi and Perkins. They have lost Raphinha and Phillips, yes, but there is clearly more strength in depth in the squad now.
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