Leeds United are looking to do some last minute shopping as they have entered the race to sign Wigan Athletic’s attacking midfielder Nick Powell. The midfielder played a crucial role in Wigan’s promotion run to the Championship last season as he scored 15 goals in 45 appearances. Having entered the last year of his contract, a host of clubs are after him, and if reports are to be believed, then Middlesbrough are leading the race to sign the former Manchester United man.
Squad Depth Is Definitely An Issue For Bielsa
The Whites have enjoyed an excellent start to the season as they are at the top of the table currently but one still feels that they don’t have enough depth in the squad to sustain this impressive run. With the transfer window already closed, the Whites can only sign players on loan deals, and we for one believe Bielsa should go all in to sign this 24-year-old midfielder.
United have relied heavily on the likes of Mateusz Klich and Samuel Saiz in midfield, and it is inevitable that they would require a breather after putting in big shifts every game. The likes of Adam Forshaw and Stuart Dallas have struggled with injuries, and if one looks at the squad, there is not enough quality and options in the midfield position. We might be proven wrong as Bielsa can take some young player and can turn him into Andres Iniesta in a few days but our bet is, they would need someone like Powell if they want to make this good start count in the long run.
The 24-year-old shot into limelight when Alex Ferguson brought him in at Manchester United in 2012. However, he struggled for the game time there in his four-year spell and managed just nine senior team appearances for them. Powell is a versatile player as he can play in the role of an attacking midfielder or as a shadow striker.
Benefits To Getting The Transfer For Powell Done
Standing at 6ft, he is quite good in the air not only because of his height but because of his ability to head the ball. He is technically decent on the ball and has quick feet which makes it tough for opposition defenders to stop him. The Englishman is extremely good at holding the ball, and he often plays in the pocket of spaces in between the midfield and defence. His link-up play is up to the mark, and the Whites can see him as a like for like player for Samuel Saiz. In a long season, squad depth will come into play and Bielsa would be glad to have a player of Powell’s calibre at his disposal.
Another reason to get him would be to stop him from joining United’s direct playoff rivals like Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion who are also in the race to sign him. Tony Pulis is hopeful of pulling off this loan deal before the transfer period ends and United would have to move in quick if they want to get their hands on the player. Powell has started the season brightly so far as he has scored 3 and assisted four goals in 4 appearances and it should be a no-brainer for the Argentine manager to try and lure him at Elland Road.
