Leeds United have so far enjoyed a terrific start to life under their new influential manager Marcelo Bielsa as they sit pretty on top of the table currently. However, the primary test would be to sustain this winning momentum and to make it count in the end by finishing in atleast the playoff spot. The Whites had an average transfer window as they signed just two players on a permanent basis. However, some loan deals and reinvention of players from the current squad seems to have made the fans forget their mediocre transfer window. We believe the Whites missed a trick by not signing Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Oliver Norwood.
The Whites were reportedly close to signing him on the deadline day. But, the Northern Irish midfielder moved on to Sheffield United on loan and United would turn the deal into a permanent one in January. The midfielder has so far featured in three games this season including the game where Sheffield United demolished Aston Villa 4-1.
Not only have they won all the games where he has played, but the midfielder has even gone to win the man of the match award in all of them. After sitting out the initial few games as he joined the squad late, it is clear that he is going to be a crucial player for the Blades this season.
The 27-year-old has been part of two promotion teams in the last two years as he was with Brighton when they moved to the Premier League and the previous season, he was with Fulham who achieved the same by winning the playoffs. Maybe Bielsa should have gone in hard this transfer window to land this influential midfielder given his track record in the Championship.
Typically a central midfielder, Norwood can take on other roles in midfield as well. He would have slotted in well in the current system the Whites play. The form which the West Yorkshire side have shown so far doesn’t indicate that they are missing him, but in a long season, the Northern Irish international would have come in handy given his experience.
What makes him stand out is that he has every side to his game which a midfielder needs. He has impressive work rate, able to pick out team-mates with the right pass, strong on the ball in close quarters and has the intelligence which would have made him a big asset under the Argentine manager. He also happens to bring in good luck as he has been part of two back to back successful promotion runs.
Hopefully, the Whites would have the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich, Samuel Saiz and Lewis Baker fit and available for the majority of their campaign. Guven the intensive training regime and the hardworking style of play, the players are likely to lose steam as the season progresses and we for one believe that the Whites missed an excellent opportunity to bring in a top-class central midfielder who would have helped them with their promotion bid.
