Ceremonial it may be, but the transfer window officially opened this week. Business can officially start to go through across the country, but Leeds United are unlikely to move for anyone swiftly.
With the relief of a deal being agreed between 49ers Enterprises and Aser Ventures last week, there is at least some framework for Angus Kinnear to follow. The chief executive, vice-chairman Paraag Marathe and director Peter Lowy are expected to be key in whittling down the head coach hunt which is an absolute priority right now.
It would be foolish to pursue transfer targets when it is unclear who will ultimately be calling the shots on the field. A recruitment chief filling Victor Orta’s vacancy is likely to be a later appointment, but in the meantime there is a temporary solution in the form of Nick Hammond.
The window is open, pre-season is expected to begin in two weeks, the next listed fixture is in 24 days, the new season is set to begin in 48 days and Leeds do not yet have a head coach. There is plenty of work to get through and plenty of players which need to be recruited.
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This is a squad which is highly likely to be gutted through the summer window as a result of relegation. Many players do not want to be in England’s second tier earning half the salary they were on last season and getting less attention from their national sides.
Leeds are also not going to make it too difficult for players to leave on the right terms. United will welcome the chance to clear out players who underperformed last season and reinvest their wages in fresh faces.
If Illan Meslier moves on, as expected, there is a clear need for a new, first-choice goalkeeper to be recruited. Joel Robles has been invited to pre-season, but remains without a contract offer, while Kristoffer Klaesson is untested and a risk as the number one in a promotion-chasing season.
Given the fight already brewing at right-back it seems sensible to avoid adding any more kindling to that bonfire. Left-back could not be more different. The charade shoehorning Pascal Struijk and Max Wober into full-back needs to end.
They are centre-backs. Leo Hjelde also has the attributes of a very promising centre-back, but could perhaps be leant on as a back-up left-back based on his performances with Rotherham United.
Struijk may yet be sold. Liam Cooper has made it clear he wants to stay, while Wober is one of the few players to come out of last term with any credit. Charlie Cresswell deserves a go in central defence, which could also push this position down the summer wanted list, even if Robin Koch and Diego Llorente move on.
Central midfield needs immense surgery this summer. Marc Roca and Tyler Adams are being heavily linked with moves away, Weston McKennie’s loan has expired, while Adam Forshaw is awaiting a contract offer as his current deal ticks towards expiry.
Sam Greenwood, Darko Gyabi and Archie Gray will hope to be trusted in the second tier, but it’s painfully obvious some experience and bite are needed in the engine room with at least two additions. Exits are expected in wide areas too.
Jack Harrison and Luis Sinisterra will surely see bids for their services from higher-profile divisions and it’s hard to see Leeds providing too much resistance. If they can retain Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto and Daniel James they have three weapons who should hurt second-tier backlines.
Perhaps an addition capable of playing out wide or as a central attacking midfielder would make sense as another option. The importance of recruiting number 10s will come down to the head coach and the system they want to play, but it does, generally, feel like this squad is lacking guile, flair and creativity.
Look at what Pablo Hernandez and Emi Buendia did to the Championship in recent seasons. A creator should be on the shopping list. A striker too.
Rodrigo will almost certainly leave and even if Patrick Bamford stays, a dependable, proven centre-forward would be shrewd. Georginio Rutter deserves a meaningful go in the second tier, but expecting him to be the 25-goal number nine is a tall order and massive risk.
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