According to Calciomercato, Leeds United have set their sights on Erick Pulgar in this January transfer window. The Fiorentina midfielder is widely expected to leave the Violos this month as the club brace itself for a mass exodus. Leeds, in fact, are even ready to splash €25 million in order to secure the services of Pulgar, although they could face stiff competition from Real Betis and Sevilla.
Do Leeds United Need A New Midfielder?
It has been a difficult start to the year for Leeds United. The Whites are yet to win a single game, and Marcelo Bielsa has found it difficult to cope with the lack of depth in his side, especially in the central midfield unit.
Kalvin Phillips, in particular, is the only real quality option in the number six slot. The likes of Pascal Struijk and Mateusz Klich have played in his position during the course of this campaign, but have failed miserably.
In addition, the club has appeared overreliant on the services of Klich as well, in the advanced midfield positions. It has hurt the team, especially with their most experienced midfielder Pablo Hernandez also struggling with form and fitness after gaining promotion to the Premier League this season.
The potential arrival of a new midfielder could thus prove to be extremely useful for Bielsa in this January transfer window.
Can Erick Pulgar Make His Breakthrough At Leeds?
Erick Pulgar is a defensive midfielder, by trade, but has a natural tendency to attack the opposition. His ability to carry the ball, using silky footwork and close control, makes him a unique component in the middle of the park. It particularly becomes useful when navigating through the half-spaces, especially with the Chilean international also having a sharp eye for that defence-threading forward ball.
Hence, from a tactical perspective, Pulgar could be an ideal midfield partner for someone like Klich. Both the midfielders are attack-minded and should complement each other well, thanks to their contrasting style of play. It should ultimately give Phillips more freedom to roam in defensive positions and provide better coverage for the backline.
Alternatively, the Fiorentina man can also be used as a back-up for Phillip himself. He may not possess the accurate long-passing or the positional awareness, but he has the technique necessary to thrive in the Premier League. Therefore, it won’t be surprising to see the versatile Pulgar making his breakthrough immediately after joining Leeds United this January.
