EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/Shutterstock (13908764a) A general view of the pitch before kick off Leeds United v Newcastle United, Premier League, Football, Elland Road, Leeds, UK - 13 May 2023
25-year-old attacker tells his club his preference is a move to Leeds United
It’s been a topsy-turvy few weeks for Daniel Farke at Leeds United, but at least the German can start welcoming new signings to the club rather than seeing more and more first-team staff decide to leave the Elland Road outfit.
The all whites have been through a real transitional period since the start of pre-season due in part to having both a new manager and new ownership, 49ers Enterprises.
Whatever their modus operandi is, it’s likely that cost savings being made would’ve been high on the agenda given a drop down into the English Championship.
This time next week, the transfer window soap opera will all be over for another few months at least, and only then will Farke know exactly which staff members he can call upon to help his side build up a head of steam and drive them towards the top of the table.
There’s still a few days for the make up of his squad to change, and to that end, The Athletic (subscription required) are reporting that Genk’s Joseph Paintsil has told his club his preference is a move to Elland Road, after previously turning down a swap deal to Southampton.
It isn’t clear if Farke is in for the player or if this is a ‘come and get me’ plea. Either way, a deal has to be concluded by Friday night.
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Leeds: “Swashbuckling” £25k-p/w gem could displace Ayling
Daniel Farke’s squad is finally shaping up…
Having suffered relegation last term, Leeds have seen an expected mass exodus, though several exciting signings – such as Ethan Ampadu and Joel Piroe – have arrived.
Yet to secure victory across their opening three matches of the league season, Daniel Farke’s side will be desperate to effectively strengthen before the transfer window closes next week, and Tottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence has been earmarked.
What’s the latest on Djed Spence to Leeds?
According to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs, Leeds are among the clubs interested in signing Spence this month, though the talented full-back is being eyed for a loan move.
The £25k-per-week gem has found match action hard to come by with the Lilywhites and could now look to kickstart his career by playing a central role in the Whites’ promotion push.
How good is Djed Spence?
Having been hailed for his “electric pace” and “abundance of skill” by former Nottingham Forest ace Brian Laws, the 23-year-old would undeniably be an important asset for Leeds as they push for a spot at the top of the second tier.
A destructive, forward-surging right-back, Spence was signed by Spurs in a £20m deal in 2022 after dazzling on loan with promotion-winning Nottingham Forest during the 2021/22 campaign.
As per Sofascore, he would make 42 appearances that year, scoring two goals and supplying four assists, also completing 76% of his passes from his marauding role, completing one key pass per game and averaging 1.4 interceptions and 1.5 tackles per match.
At Elland Road, the dynamic ace could replicate his previous loan stint in the Championship, providing a multi-dimensional approach down the right flank and combining his attacking impetus and defensive work rate, and it could prove to be a massive upgrade on Luke Ayling.
Ayling, aged 32, was at the epicentre of the Premier League’s worst defence last season and was even branded a “real problem” for his outfit by Sky Sports’ Andy Walker, flattering to deceive and then some.
He even received a harsh rebuke from pundit Jamie Carragher, who called the one-time Arsenal youngster an “idiot” for his lackadaisical defending.
Last term, he recorded a lowly average rating of 6.60 in the top flight, completing 69% of his passes, making 0.4 key passes per match and making 2.3 tackles and 0.9 interceptions per game.
Spence, dubbed “swashbuckling” by Ian Wright, would bring excitement and a driving force to the team, especially considering he ranks among the top 8% of full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
Farke must push to complete a deal for the Lilywhites ace, and while Ayling has been something of a stalwart for United, it’s time to freshen the ranks with a roof-raising acquisition – and Spence is that man.
