Leeds United has had a difficult start to the 2024-25 season, but consider Daniel Farke, who has been required to win games without four key players from the previous season.
Leeds have been without Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray, and Glen Kamara for at least two matches this season, with Georginio Rutter missing on Saturday ahead of his £40 million move to Brighton.
Farke has his critics. His stubborn, slow-paced attacking tactics, as well as his hesitation in making substitutions. Even if he chose to score five minutes beyond the hour mark in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Middlesbrough.
However, Farke’s 90-point Leeds team has been broken apart, and he has been faced with simply replacing it with the players he already has. Farke needs assistance, and the 49ers must provide it.
Farke wants four new signings at Elland Road during the next 12 days.
Saturday’s 0-0 draw against West Brom was a great result. A team that took four points from Leeds last season, but there were immediate signs of improvement in the first two games, including a clean sheet, which can be built on.
However, it was clear what was missing. Summerville and Rutter’s magic is gone, and it must be restored. Farke was ready to make that point following the draw at The Hawthorns, according to Leeds Live.
“I don’t need 43. I am not a believer in large groups. Not good for unity. We require coverage at full-back, midfield, and two offensive positions. We can’t guarantee it, but four is about what I’d want to see.
Two offensive additions have suddenly become vital for Leeds.
A full-back is required because injury-prone Sam Byram is covering both Jayden Bogle and Junior Firpo. Leeds, on the other hand, can adjust even without a new acquisition, since Pascal Struijk and Max Wober can both play left-back.
The situation is similar in midfield. A new face would be ideal, but Leeds have Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, Joe Rothwell, Charlie Crew, and Wober and Struijk can step up into the middle of the park if necessary.
What matters is that Leeds replace Summerville and Rutter. Joel Piroe is not a no.10, as Saturday demonstrated, and Brenden Aaronson is not a direct replacement for Summerville on Leeds’ left side of the attack.
Summerville assisted on 31 goals last season, while Rutter set up 24. Those numbers cannot be replaced by inserting square pegs into round holes; instead, they must be high-quality additions that fill the space as completely as feasible.
