Leeds United defender Diego Llorente is reportedly on the verge of completing a loan switch to Serie A side AS Roma. Llorente has been out of the picture for a majority of the season at Elland Road and the 29-year-old has only fallen further down the pecking order this month following the arrival of Max Wober.
The Spain international only signed a new deal with the Whites last month, but that serves to retain his value with reports claiming Roma will have an obligation to sign the centre-back. However, if the deal is finalised, it will come just days before Llorente was expected to step into the Leeds starting line-up against Nottingham Forest.
Leeds’ first-choice right-sided centre-back Robin Koch is suspended for the clash having picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Brentford and Llorente was the man many expected to feature at the City Ground. However, his expected departure leaves Jesse Marsch without a recognised, available player for that role and the head coach may be forced to shuffle his backline.
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Liam Cooper should be deemed fit enough to be involved after overcoming a knee issue and the skipper can be expected to slot into the side on the next, who will play alongside him, though, remains to be seen.
Here’s three options Marsch will be mulling over as the weekend approaches.
Max Wober
Wober is left-footed, of course, and he has spent the majority of his career playing either as a left-sided centre-back or a left back. However, his versatility suggests he would be able to shift over to the right and look relatively comfortable.
He has played on the right side of defence before, and given the form he has shown in his first few weeks as a United player, Wober may be the preferred option on the right. The Austrian has only made five appearances in a Leeds shirt, but he’s managed to catch the eye in all of them, turning in solid performances in various positions.
His partnership with Koch has looked a strong one over the last couple of games and going forward Marsch may have a dilemma on his hands as he contemplates his best defensive line-up. The head coach isn’t likely to make a habit of playing Wober on the right, but it’s an option he has this weekend.
Luke Ayling
Ayling has nailed down the club’s right-back spot over the last month or so, keeping Rasmus Kristensen out of the side by turning in some encouraging performances. However, he has been known to step inside on occasions and take on the right-sided centre-back role.
It’s a position he played with regularity last season and he has moved there once or twice this time around as well under Marsch. He knows it relatively well at this stage of his career and he’ll be more than willing to slot into the role if required to do so this weekend.
The head coach knows he has Kristensen to step into the starting XI at right-back and Ayling’s experience, leadership and positioning could play into the Denmark international’s hands as he looks to get forward with every opportunity.
Diogo Monteiro
The Portuguese youngster hasn’t signed just yet, but he is expected to complete his switch from Servette to Elland Road before tomorrow night’s transfer deadline. He’s only 18 years old, of course, and he has made just four appearances in the Swiss Super League.
As such, presuming the deal goes through, it seems unlikely that he will be part of Marsch’s immediate plans and he may have to make do with appearances for the Under-21s for the time being. However, the opening at centre-back provides a rare opportunity and if he were to make an immediate impression in training, the head coach could reward the youngster.
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