The early stages of the 2022/23 Premier League season have been a relative success for Leeds United under Jesse Marsch. Eight points from six games represents an improvement from the three registered at this stage last season, while their 3-0 win over Chelsea at Elland Road was one of the most exciting results since their return to the top flight in 2020.
However, three games without a league win (D1 L2) has created quiet concern in West Yorkshire, as a clutch of injuries have begun to underline the lack of depth currently at Marsch's disposal.
Leeds may have added eight new recruits during the summer but additions are still needed when the transfer window reopens in January.
With that in mind, LeedsLive have identified the three key areas that require improvement this winter.
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Centre-forward
An out-and-out centre-forward is a must for Leeds in January, just as it was in the summer. The Whites swooped late to bring in 18-year-old forward Wilfried Gnonto from FC Zurich on transfer deadline day after failing to secure both Bamba Dieng and Cody Gakpo.
Nonetheless, Leeds are still short of options up front, especially with Patrick Bamford failing to prove that he can put together a regular run of games without picking up an injury.
Bamford spent the best part of last season on the sidelines and was forced off after just 28 minutes in United's 2-2 draw at Southampton on Match Day 2. The 29-year-old looks to be on the road to recovery after consolidating his two cameos from the bench against Everton and Brentford respectively with a hat-trick for the U21s, but nothing is guaranteed with Bamford.
While Joe Gelhardt looks a great prospect for the future, the England U20 international hasn't found the net since March and has failed to score in each of his two starts in the Premier League.
Rodrigo has assumed goalscoring responsibilities with four goals in his first five league matches for the Whites, but his absence in Leeds's 5-2 defeat at Brentford, further emphasized their lack of depth up front.
Left-Back
Pascal Struijk has done tremendously well at left-back in the absence of Junior Firpo but improvement at left-back is still needed during the winter transfer window. Form and fitness has eluded Firpo since he joined Leeds from Barcelona in the summer of 2021 and there is no guarantee that that will change when he returns from injury after the international break.
His injury has somewhat been a blessing in disguise for Marsch as he's been able to discover a new option in the shape of Struijk. His form at left-back alone earned him a call-up in Netherlands' preliminary squad. Although he was unable to make the final cut, it was a strong indication that Struijk has taken to the role very well.
Nevertheless, the options outside of Firpo and Struijk are stark (at least until Stuart Dallas returns from a long-term injury), while the poor form of Diego Llorente could also force Marsch to restore at Struijk at centre-back in the near future.
Centre-Back
Llorente has struggled during the opening exchanges of this season with individual errors becoming an all too familiar theme for the Spaniard. Despite his struggles, Llorente has remarkably retained his place in Luis Enrique's squad ahead of Spain's UEFA Nations League ties against Switzerland and Portugal respectively.
Leeds skipper Liam Cooper is likely to replace Llorente when he returns from injury, although a centre-back may well be in Marsch's thinking when the transfer window reopens in January.
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