Marcelo Bielsa has so far masterminded a near perfect start at Elland Road as Leeds United sit at the top of the Championship table. However, it seems foolish to deny that they are facing somewhat of a crisis right now at the back. The match against Swansea City has shown that the Whites need a centre-back as a late injury in pre-game warm up to Liam Cooper almost cost them the match.
Pontus Jansson has missed the early part of the season due to his fitness and back issues and Bielsa started with Gaetano Berardi in the centre back role. The gaffer had to improvise again against the Swans as he used another right-back, Luke Ayling, to fill in the centre back role for that game.
If Bielsa wants to sustain the winning run, he will definitely have to sign a centre-back on loan before the window closes in a week. The Swansea game would have been an eye-opener and it showed that one or two injuries to major players can derail United’s campaign. However, they still have time until next Friday to solve that and we look at three defensive reinforcements the Whites can bring in.
Juan Foyth
The Tottenham Hotspur defender’s name has been doing the rounds regarding a move to Elland Road but the Whites does not seem close to sealing the deal for the young Argentine defender. With Toby Alderweireld set to stay at the club, the 20-year-old is likely to find limited game time at the North London club and that is where Bielsa can prise away this young defensive ace. He is rated highly by Mauricio Pochettino as he has all the skill sets a modern-day centre-back needs. The 20-year old is comfortable on the ball and reads the game well.
Pochettino has often claimed that his coaching method and philosophy has been influenced by Bielsa’s tactics. This Spurs side also plays a similar style of game that Bielsa is trying to implement at United. The Tottenham manager likes to play a high-intensity pressing game with defenders building up from the back. Having played under Pochettino, Foyth would already be prepared for Bielsa’s style and we believe he would be the perfect signing the Whites can make to solve their defensive problems.
Cameron Carter Vickers
We are going in with yet another Tottenham Hotspur defender and this 20-year old is linked with a move away from the club on loan. However, Leeds don’t seem to be in the mix to sign him but after what has happened at Liberty City Stadium, they should definitely look at this American defender. The argument for going for him is pretty much the same as Foyth as the player has developed well. Having played under Pochettino, he is aware of pressing techniques and handling himself on the ball. It is likely that Spurs manager would let only one of his young defenders go on loan and at this moment it seems like it could be the American international. The Whites will have to hijack his deal as he is closely linked with a move to Ipswich Town and Swansea City.
Tomas Kalas
The Chelsea defender was on loan with Fulham last season and played a crucial role in their promotion to the Premier League. The 25-year-old hasn’t been involved in the matchday squad under Maurizio Sarri and the Czech Republic defender can be a good bet as he has a decent amount of experience of the Championship.
He is a monster in the air and has a good physical presence at the back. Kalas also has reasonable pace which allows him to stay on top of the attackers. One shortcoming could be his ability to play out from the back. Nevertheless, he can be more than a handy backup option for Bielsa at Elland Road.
