January’s transfer window filled, in a fashion, the two gaps Leeds United had in their squad and even chucked in a Champions League midfielder for good measure. It was generally seen as a good month for the Whites, though Diego Llorente’s late loan to Roma did stretch the roster a touch.
In the final days of his tenure, Jesse Marsch would admit if there were one department which was on the thin side it was in defence. While Max Wober provided another left-sided option, Llorente’s exit meant the team broke even on its defensive squad depth for the window.
When you then stress test that depth with injury to Liam Cooper, a concussion to Pascal Struijk and a, presumed, rest for Max Wober, new head coach Javi Gracia is left looking for different solutions. On Tuesday night it was Rasmus Kristensen.
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Gracia even reflected on the current selection issues he is encountering in his opening week on the job. In attack, where Patrick Bamford’s minutes evidently needed managing and Rodrigo continues his recover from ankle surgery, Gracia felt his hands were tied somewhat.
Georginio Rutter was the chosen one to lead the line and the head coach was asked whether he can be a viable alternative to Bamford at the tip of the attack.
“He’s one option,” said Gracia. “He can play better as a second forward or playing with two, that’s the best position for Georginio.
“In this game, we didn’t have, for example, other players as a centre-back, we didn’t have other professional players as a striker and we tried to manage as well as possible.”
Gracia will be asked about Wober on Thursday ahead of the Chelsea trip, but the assumption is he was taken out of harm’s way on the back of that shoulder issue at Everton. Cooper and Struijk are also expected to be in the reckoning at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, Bamford should be ready to go back to starting in the capital at his former club, should Gracia still prefer the England international.
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