With transfer deadline day upon us, our Leeds United writer Beren Cross took your questions on all things Leeds United. There are a lot of issue to resolve for Jesse Marsch and just over 24 hours to address them with new recruits.
Here's everything that was discussed in our Leeds United Q&A.
Craig92: Should llorente leave, is there any chance we recall Creswell as cover for CB? Or would Marsch be happy with cover we have already and Firpo looks like he is improving?
BEREN CROSS: Cresswell could be recalled, but there would be sizeable penalties because of how short it would leave Millwall with very little time to replace him. We'll next hear from Marsch on Friday, but yes, I would assume he's happy with the cover they've got.
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olivetree: If I try and put together a traditional 23 man World Cup/Euros squad (made up of two teams plus an extra keeper) from the current LUFC group, I reckon that we currently have 8 obvious players for the back four (incl. Dallas, excl. Llorente), 6 for midfield (incl. Harrison and McKennie) and 6 attacking players. Do you think that shows that JM now increasingly favours 4-3-3 rather than 4-2-2-2?
BC: Versatility is key. I am sure you could bend that squad in multiple directions to suit two line-ups in numerous formations. McKennie's arrival certainly benefits a 4-3-3, though, absolutely.
Bedford Pedro: Not a question just a statement. I think the Board, Orta, Rads, Marsch et-al deserve a round of applause at our next home game, for their performance in the January transfer window. Three great signings over the line. Some good sense in sending some youngsters out on loan. Finally a good move with Diego Llorente after extending his contract and then the move to Roma if that completes in time. Good luck Diego it did not work out for you at Leeds, but I wish you all the best in Italy.
BC: While the team's on a run of two wins from 16 league games you're doing well to get a round of applause for the board on transfer business alone. I take your point, though. It's been a very promising window.
DGvoiceofreason: Jack Harrison is ranked our 4th best player so far this season, so I have read an recently he looks like he can play that advanced Midfield type role pretty well and no doubt will get better there the more he plays.
We know what he can do out wide and yes we are stronger out wide now buy this guy is in form so why sell and if we do, can't sell to a relegation rival as that makes no sense really. I would say 35m+ if Gordon from Everton went for 45m.
Do you really think we will sell in Jan and if so why instead of doing a new contract for him?
BC: You make fair points and that's why this is not an easy decision for club or player as we approach the final 24 hours of the window.
Why sell him? Well, if everyone in the squad is fit and playing to their potential (which I accept is a rare occurrence) then Harrison's probably on the bench. He also has less than 18 months on his contract remaining. Plus, I would argue, he's flattered to deceive in a lot of matches. For me, you get one very good game in every three or four from him, which, if Leeds do want to become a mid-table regular, is probably not good enough to move the dial. Furthermore, there's interest in him and as an Englishman in his mid-20s he comes at a premium in the market.
I do take your point selling to Leicester is far from ideal when you look at the league table, but for the above reasons that may not be enough to dissuade them if the money is right. If £25m came in, all up front, or £30m was offered in instalments, I would be content with him going.
A new contract is the outcome Leeds would like. He doesn't need to go in order to finance McKennie etc. However, if Harrison is open to moving and the right offer comes in, I can understand why now is the right time to end his very productive four-and-a-half years here.
TimCampbell: Any truth at all to the rumours about Perez? Seems a bit too old for the current Leeds model if I'm honest.
BC: It seems a stretch to go for Perez. Does not seem to suit the model and Leeds are already well stocked with attacking options. If I was them, I would want as much money as possible. Would imagine Perez is on astronomical wages too.
Marko6969: Why are the club seriously considering letting Cresswell go on a permanent? Surely there’s better value in keeping him and loaning him out again next season? The Amari Miller situation is bizarre too. He looked good last season but seems well out of favour this year. His attitude looked impressive in the academy documentary and the 21s have looked under strength recently without Greenwood and Gelhardt.
BC: Given Cresswell hasn't gone yet, I would argue they haven't pushed the button on it, even if they have considered it. I would be surprised though, like you. He has been impressive in the limited opportunities he has had in the Leeds first team and seems to have all the attributes to be a top-level centre-back. However, I can't profess to have seen any of him for Millwall, which may have damaged his reputation in some way, I can't say for sure. It may also be a money factor. They may find it hard to turn down between £5m and £10m for someone so young.
I have not watched a lot of the under-21s, but whenever I have seen them Miller has not caught my eye. The under-21s have had 12 matches so far this season and Miller's only made seven appearances with one start. He's not getting the game time he needs to consistently make those marginal gains emerging players need. He's 20 and I would not be surprised if he found a loan move in the summer to showcase himself.
BMG: The Llorente story came as a shock but I'm not sad. He has been ok for some of the time, but probably has been too error prone. If the deal is an eventual sale for 18m I'd take it all day.
My feeling is that the logical thing to do if Diego leaves would be to recall Cresswell. He's not been getting enough games at Millwall and he's probably good enough to be back up to Koch. IMO he's certainly at least as good as Llorente from what I've seen. So you think we will recall Cressie if Llorente goes?
My other question is, assuming we get in McKennie and Monteiro, that would mean those two plus Wober and Rutter, how would you rate the window? I'd say pretty good, especially if you consider a decent summer. We done a decent amount of business but not too many at once a la Forest. What's your view?
BC: Yeah, I think that's fair comment. It was a shock this morning, but overall, he hasn't impressed enough and if they can recoup their initial outlay in the long-term it's an excellent piece of business, even if they are a touch light in defence now.
My first thought was about Cresswell too and while it would not be impossible, I would think there's a sizeable penalty if they wanted to recall him this late in the window. The break clause to bring him back expired in the first week of the month.
It's been an excellent window. McKennie really puts a juicy cherry on top of the cake. Even if Harrison were to go before the deadline it's still a good month of business given where the attacking ranks are at and how little time is left to run on Harrison's contract.
magicyeboah: From an attacking point of view we look strong. From a defending point of view we look weak. Are we going with the mentality that you score 4 but we'll score 5?
BC: I take your point the team looks better in attack than defence, on paper. However, I would argue the defence has seen a net improvement this month. Wober is better than Llorente and offers cover at left-back, where it's needed. Marsch would never say the team is going out there to outscore opponents, regardless of what's going on at the other end. It's just the way this window has worked out with an abundance of quality forwards returning to fitness and the club's record signing all coming together at the same time.
Stephen J: If Llorente and Harrison goes and three come in we are one to the good with no left back Wober won’t be used as a LB so we’re stuck with Struijk, although our attack and midfield have been strengthened our Achilles heel hasn’t.
BC: I do see your point, but Wober can and will be used at left-back as needed and he has shown the level of intelligence needed to improve that backline. Once Cooper's fit, I do think Marsch will find it hard to resist playing his captain, which has to force the Austrian out to left-back. The big issue they will have is if they have two or three of their senior defenders injured at the same time. That bench will very quickly weaken as reinforcements are called into action.
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