The 26-man-squad for Leeds United's pre-season tour to Australia has been confirmed, as the Whites have headed down under to play the next three fixtures in their preparations for the 22/23 Premier League season.
Players expected to seal loan deals or make permanent transfers away from the squad have not been included. This means that Raphinha has remained in England whilst Barcelona continue in their attempts to sign the winger, whilst others such as Jamie Shackleton and Helder Costa have not travelled either, with Millwall expected to sign Shackleton on loan.
However, there was another notable absentee who did not miss out on the tour because of an impending transfer. Junior Firpo started in Leeds' first pre-season friendly against Blackpool on Thursday and picked up a goal and an assist in the 4-0 victory, but it has been confirmed that he picked up a knock which ruled him meant that Leeds have decided not to take him on their tour as a precaution.
That choice has meant that Leeds have only youngster, Leif Davis, as a natural left-back as part of the touring party. Leo Hjelde and Pascal Struijk both played minutes in the position last season but are generally considered to be centre backs by trade, particularly the latter. This may be fine for the friendly fixtures but running with these options in the Premier League would be less than ideal.
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Thus far, the briefings around the club's targets have suggested that they only intend to make one more outfield signing this summer, with another striker the priority. However not signing a left-back as well seems like an enormous risk.
Davis was on loan at Bournemouth in the Championship last season and the 22-year-old played only 573 minutes during that loan. He made only six starts for the Cherries and it seems unlikely that he would be at the requisite level, should Leeds require significant minutes from him in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Struijk will be competing with Liam Cooper for the starting left centre back slot, and will surely be needed to play there for a decent portion of the season, given that Cooper often picks up injuries.
That leaves Hjelde as perhaps the most likely option to play left back if Firpo is unavailable. The young Norwegian has played a fair number of first-team minutes in the position, as he played in the SPFL for Ross County in 20/21. He also impressed when playing there against West Ham and Everton last season. However, two appearances off the bench are a different prospect from being required to play regularly in the best league in the world and is a significant gamble to take with a young player.
With all of that in mind, not signing another left-back looks to be a risk that Leeds would be unwise to take. Particularly given the fact that Firpo was regularly unavailable through injuries last season, meaning that Stuart Dallas played left back often. The Ulsterman is unable to cover that position this season, at least until the New Year, after he fractured his femoral bone in a collision with Jack Grealish towards the end of last season.
As Firpo has another one of the knocks which troubled him last season before this new one has even begun, it doesn't suggest that anything is about to change for the Spaniard. He simply cannot be trusted to play 38 games in a season and Jesse Marsch will need another reliable option. Hjelde could prove to be that player but if he is not, Leeds could find themselves with an obvious weak spot in the squad. Rumours that the club were looking at Stoke City's Josh Tymon would make sense as a player to strengthen the Whites in that area and would not require too much cost.
If they choose not to pursue that option and back Hjelde it could be a real confidence booster for the Norwegian Under 21 international. If he performs well in any minutes given, they may even find that they have a more long-term option in the position after all. It can't be denied that it's a gamble though and it's one that could come back to bite the Whites.
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