Leeds United have started their Championship season in a dazzling manner as they have collected 20 points from their first 9 games, with their latest outing ending in a 3-2 win over Ipswich Town. The Whites have been striking the right chords and seeing the manner in which they have gone on to ply their trade so far this season, they seemingly appear to be a side capable enough of getting the uplift.
Last term, the Yorkshire based club worked well together as a unit as Garry Monk waived his magic for a major chunk of the season. However, Monk’s troops began to falter during the business end of the Championship season and as a result, they failed to manoeuvre a top-six finish. Nonetheless, a pedestal was created which Thomas Christiansen is reaping benefits of ever since he gave his consent to manage Leeds United.
Christiansen lured the likes of Ezgjan Alioski, Samu Saiz, Pawel Cibicki and Mateusz Klich to the Elland Road over the course of the summer transfer window and looking at the incomings, it goes without saying that the additions to his armoury were significant ones.
However, the Peacocks are still keen to improve their side, as one of the latest reports by Daily Mail has stated that Leeds United are tracking Osasuna’s midfielder, Fran Merida.
Merida emerged through the youth ranks of Barcelona and Arsenal and was eventually elevated to the senior side of the latter. He could make merely 16 appearances for the Gunners before moving to Atletico Madrid in 2010. He couldn’t cement his place at the La Liga outfit and was sporadically used by them. Then he moved to Hercules, Atletico Paranaense and Huesca, before moving to the ranks of Osasuna last summer.
The Spaniard failed to take the Reds into the rendezvous zone last season, owing to which they are plying their trade in the Spanish second division this season.
It is perceived that Leeds United have been sending their scouts regularly to pencil the calibre of Merida as he is playing a pivotal role for his current employers this season. The 27-year-old has made 25 appearances for Osasuna so far after his move, scoring on two occasions.
Merida is a player who has plenty of experience under his belt and could be a good signing as a back-up player for Christiansen. He is a player who hasn’t really lived up to his potential, but with a move back to England, he might get the chance to reshape his career and bring it back on track.
