Leeds United fans in the Transfer Tavern have been bemoaning their side’s 1-0 defeat to Millwall on Saturday, yet remain in high spirits after a wonderful start to the season.
The Yorkshire outfit finished seventh in the second tier last term and perhaps should have clinched a play-off spot, with a wretched run of form to end the campaign seeing Garry Monk’s drop out of the top six, and thus frustrating many Leeds fans lining up at the bar waiting for a return to the Premier League.
Yet, with how well they’ve started this term, they may not need to wait too long as new head coach Thomas Christiansen has overseen five wins from eight league matches, with draws in two of the other three propelling the club to the top of the Championship, ahead of Wolves on goal difference.
And although they lost at Millwall on Saturday, there remains a feel-good factor among the Elland Road faithful, and there could be more good news to come in January as recent reports from The Yorkshire Evening Post suggest that they are eyeing up a move for Japan international Yosuke Ideguchi.
The 21-year-old currently plays his trade in his homeland with Gamba Osaka, and in his time at the club has scored seven goals and laid on ten assists, three goals and nine assists of which have come this term.
And reports suggest that he could be linking up with Leeds come the New Year, and this is how the Yorkshire giants could line up in midfield should Ideguchi indeed make the move to England in January…
CDM – Eunan O’Kane
He was used quite sparingly by Garry Monk last season, just 24 times in the Championship in fact, yet Eunan O’Kane has certainly proven his worth to new boss Christiansen this time round.
The 27-year-old has laid on three assists in six league starts for the Yorkshire giants thus far, all three of which have come in his last two games for the club in helping them to victories over Nottingham Forest and Burton Albion.
Deciding between him and Kalvin Phillips is particularly tricky, and when you factor in that the likes of Vurnon Anita, Ronaldo Vieira, and Mateusz Klich are also waiting in the wings, Christiansen has got some big decisions to make over the course of the campaign.
CDM – Yosuke Ideguchi
It’s difficult to know exactly where Yosuke Ideguchi would fit in in this Leeds side – he could either be part of a defensive midfield two or a more advanced midfield two.
However, with what Christiansen has utilised so far this term, a 4-2-3-1 appears more likely, and thus the Japan international will likely slot in alongside either O’Kane or Phillips, both of whom have started the season brilliantly.
The 21-year-old has all the hallmarks of becoming a great midfielder, with pace to burn and tenacity in the tackle, he can also impact things in both boxes, and can dominate the game from the middle.
Leeds would have a seriously talented player in their ranks should they make a move in January.
RM – Pablo Hernandez
There are so many options at Christiansen’s disposal that he has quite a selection headache when everyone is fit, but based on his efforts for the club last term, and indeed in the early stages of this one, Pablo Hernandez is a must for this attacking trio.
The Spaniard bagged six goals and laid on eight assists in just 35 Championship games last season to help the Whites to a seventh place finish in the table, and with six starts in the league this time round, as well as a goal and an assist, the 32-year-old is once again proving his worth.
He looks set to again be key in Leeds’ quest for promotion this term.
LM – Ezgjan Alioski
A summer signing from FC Lugano, midfielder Ezgjan Alioski has already made quite the impression on the Leeds fans in his first few games for the club.
The 25-year-old has scored once and laid on three assists in seven games in all competitions, with his solitary goal a wonder strike away at Nottingham Forest just prior to the international break.
That’s certainly something he’s got in his locker, but alongside assists against Bolton, Sunderland, and Port Vale, he’s also a great creator, and has the potential to become one of the best attackers in the Championship this season.
AM – Samuel Saiz
Attacking midfielder Samuel Saiz was another exciting addition to Christiansen’s squad over the summer, making the move from Spanish side Huesca for an undisclosed fee.
And, like Alioski, the 26-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance with a goal and an assist in their 2-0 victory over Sunderland on August 19, while he also bagged a hat-trick in a dominant display against Port Vale in the Carabao Cup on August 9.
Clearly, this Leeds trio has vast amounts of talent and potential, and if they continue in their rich vein of form, Christiansen’s men are going to take some stopping this season.
