Leeds United are close to securing a vital midfield signing as manager Daniel Farke confirms their search for a free-agent player.
Former France international Josuha Guilavogui is seen as the top contender to fill the gap, following the team’s recent victory over Sheffield United. With injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev, Leeds need reinforcements to avoid a potential crisis in midfield.
The Whites’ dominant 2-0 win against Sheffield United marked their best performance of the season, lifting them to third in the table. Despite these positive results, the squad’s depth has been tested, and Farke is keen to avoid further issues, especially in midfield. Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell have been stand-out performers, but Leeds cannot afford another injury with their current thin squad.
Leeds had initially considered other options, such as Cheikhou Kouyaté and Francis Coquelin, but talks with these players fell through due to various reasons, including financial demands. With Guilavogui now the prime candidate, the club is hoping his experience, both in midfield and defence, will provide the cover they need.
Leeds United’s Midfield Needs Critical Attention
Farke highlighted the club’s urgency to bring in a defensive midfielder who can also play in central defence. “It’s most important not to speak about names but the profile is important. We’re thin on the holding midfield option,” said Farke. Injuries to Max Wober and concerns about other defenders like Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon mean that Leeds are vulnerable in both midfield and defence. This makes Guilavogui’s ability to play in both positions particularly appealing.
Farke continued: “In an ideal situation, we’d bring in a deep-lying midfielder who could also cope with the centre-back position but he needs to accept a role where the main man comes back, Ethan is first choice.” The player Leeds are looking for would not just be a stop-gap but someone who can bring experience and help the younger players adapt to the pressures of playing for a top-tier club like Leeds United.
Guilavogui’s Experience Could Be Key
Guilavogui, a 34-year-old with seven caps for France, was last contracted with German side Mainz before being released this summer. Despite being out of action since March, his versatility and experience make him a suitable short-term solution for Leeds. The main concern lies in his fitness and the time it would take to get him match-ready. But with the squad’s injury issues, even a Guilavogui at 80% fitness could be valuable in a rotation role, coming off the bench to stabilise games in their closing stages.
Farke’s concerns about fitness are valid, especially for a player who has been inactive for several months. However, if Guilavogui can regain some level of match fitness, his experience, leadership, and ability to cover multiple positions make him an attractive option. This could be the stop-gap for Leeds until their first-choice midfielders are back from injury.
Our View
Leeds’ interest in Guilavogui is a calculated gamble, and one that could pay dividends. Leeds are in a strong position, and signing an experienced player like Guilavogui could solidify their push for promotion. The Frenchman may not be in his prime, but his ability to stabilise the midfield and add depth to the defence is exactly what Leeds need right now.
Of course, fitness remains a concern, but sometimes these risks are necessary when you’re fighting for promotion. Guilavogui brings a wealth of experience, and if he can get up to speed quickly, he might just prove to be the missing piece in Farke’s tactical puzzle.
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