The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 12th December) Three weeks until the January transfer market opens
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Good Morning. It's Friday 12th December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Three weeks until the January transfer market opens
With just three weeks until the winter transfer window opens, Leeds United face a massive stick or twist scenario! Back in August Managing Director Robbie Evans made it clear that the club has no more money left. Leeds are constrained by Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), having already spent £100 million in the summer. This leaves little room for expensive or numerous additions unless significant sales are made before June 30th, something far from guaranteed. Nevertheless, despite the restrictions, activity is expected, even if limited to shrewd loans or bargain deals.
Midfield depth is one area of concern. Leeds have just five senior midfielders, though Brenden Aaronson can drop deeper if required. While that number may suffice when injuries are minimal, history this season shows the risk: twice already, two midfielders have been unavailable at the same time. In a system that starts three in midfield, this can leave the bench short of viable options. A loan move for former fan favourite Kalvin Phillips has been mooted, and his experience and combative presence could prove invaluable if a deal can be struck without breaching financial limits.
Up front, the 3-5-2 demands two strikers, but Leeds’ current options each bring different strengths and drawbacks. Joel Piroe is a lethal finisher but arguably ill-suited to the physical demands of the system. Noah Okafor offers skill and mobility but hasn't flourished up top yet, with Farke preferring him on the left wing, cutting inside. Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have formed a good partnership up front in the last couple of games, though their injury records are poor. If Piroe is not the answer, Leeds will have to bring another striker in next month.
On the flanks, Leeds could yet revisit their summer hunt for a right winger who can drift inside to play as a number 10. Daniel James’ pace and directness have been missed during his injury layoff, and while Okafor and Willy Gnonto can cover the role, both are more effective on the left. Versatility may influence January targets, especially if Leeds revert to 4-3-3 more frequently.
Potential outgoings - players such as Gnonto, Aaronson or even Piroe, could help generate funds for reinforcements, but any departures would need to be balanced against squad depth. For Leeds, the next few games will do more than shape their league position, they will determine the club’s tactical approach and, by extension, the profile of any winter arrivals. In a constrained market, every decision will carry weight.
Sutton leaps to Farke's defence
Former Celtic and Norwich City striker turned pundit, Chris Sutton, has leapt to the defence of Daniel Farke after recent speculation about the German’s job security. Sutton, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, described the criticism aimed at Farke as “really unfair” and praised the 49-year-old’s tactical adaptability during a testing run of fixtures.
Farke, who guided Leeds to the Championship title just six months ago, came under scrutiny following back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Nottingham Forest before the international break. With four daunting games ahead against Champions League-chasing opposition, many feared his position was under threat. Yet Sutton highlighted that rather than buckle under pressure, Farke made bold adjustments which have helped Leeds navigate this challenging spell with renewed competitiveness and resilience.
After a defeat to Aston Villa, Leeds impressed by battling hard against Manchester City, then defeating Chelsea and earning a draw against Liverpool. Sutton pointed to Farke’s tactical half time switch during the City game as a turning point, moving to a back three, deploying two strikers, and introducing Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a central focal point. This change, Sutton argued, gave Leeds a more direct attacking outlet and helped them exploit opportunities more effectively. Calvert-Lewin’s impact since returning to the side has been described by Sutton as “sensational,” providing the team with a physical presence up front and enhancing their ability to transition quickly from defence to attack.
Sutton also praised Leeds’ intensity in the Chelsea win and their fighting spirit to come from behind against Liverpool, emphasising the organisation and clear game plan under Farke’s leadership. He criticised those who judged Farke solely on his Premier League record with Norwich, noting that the squad he had at Carrow Road was simply not strong enough to compete at that level.
In Sutton’s view, Leeds have been “really competitive” this season, and to consider sacking Farke at this stage would have been undeserved. Instead, recent performances have demonstrated both resilience and tactical flexibility qualities that suggest Leeds can still challenge strongly under his guidance. For Sutton, Farke’s ability to adapt and inspire his side in the face of pressure is exactly what the club needs if they are to keep progressing in the top flight.