The verdict of the transfer window for Leeds United so far...
As far as things go in early July. Leeds United have made just the one signing. A backup keeper from a club in the same division as us. Although he may have had worked with Grayson in the past, it still isn't the best signing we could have made. Sure he's a backup keeper but after losing several first team players of last season. Grayson needs to get busy and start signing those players which will enhance our team, next time out.
After losing Neil Kilkenny and Bradley Johnson through failed contract agreements, the midfield at Leeds is looking weaker than ever. A place where we have struggled to find a real playmaker in the few seasons has been that central midfield position and losing two players who could play there week in week out, is not the greatest starts to the transfer window. Although Bradley Johnson has been snapped up by Premier League newbies Norwich City, it looks as though Neil Kilkenny will be staying firmly in the Championship after talks that he has already secured a deal at Bristol City.
Richard Naylor has also left the club after not being offered another contract. Naylor looks like he may sign for South Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers. However I feel that Richard Naylor, although a very hard-working captain and a loyal center back, he wasn't quite cutting the mustard for the level in which Leeds United want or should be.
Shane Higgs has also left on a free transfer, which means we now have only one Goalkeeper in Paul Rachubka.
The biggest story involving Leeds United this summer has been the departure of Kasper Schmeichel after just one season with The Whites. Kasper left on an undisclosed fee, which reports say was around £1 million to Leicester City. Kasper at times was a great keeper and others I could only see him as a shot stopper. He was a good Championship keeper. Who certainly impressed me on his first appearance for the club against Derby, early August. However despite the positives of Kasper Schmeichel there are negatives. He only really came to life properly in the games that were televised and that is the reason he has his fans from other clubs admiring his talents. He played just under 40 games for Leeds United in total. I feel that the reasoning behind his departure is also a mystery. There aren't many players we could get that are better at this level than Kasper. I, like most Leeds United fans will probably say it was big Kens choice for Kasper to leave, he apparently needs more money.
As we can see there have been far too many departures and not enough captures. In past years there have been a number of signings. Although most of them have been free transfers or loans from other clubs. This is the season where Mr. Bates needs to delve into that rather tight wallet of his and let Grayson have the freedom to sign players to enhance our beautiful clubs and also enlarge our chances of reaching the promised land of the Premier League next season.
There have been many links to players over the past few weeks. From the once world-class players to the former players. Everyone has been linked with Leeds United but as of yet, none of the speculations and rumours have paid off. On the 6th of July Ken Bates released a statement onto the club website which read 'The club is in serious discussions with players'. I severely hope so and I hope this isn't just to stop the worrying that we may never sign anyone.
When it comes to signings, Grayson can either make great ones or terrible ones. The signing of Max Gradel last season was one that has paid off hugely this season with Gradel scoring 18 goals and collecting Leeds United's player of the season. Max's hard work has not gone unnoticed and Premier League clubs look interested. However signings such as Billy Paynter and Neill Collins recently have not proved to be the best signings. Billy has only managed to score one goal this season and the Leeds United faithful have began to become impatient with the striker. Billy was linked with a move away from United after talks of a player-exchange with Sheffield United for Nick Montgomery. Neill Collins was signed for Leeds last summer from Wolves and has ended up at rivals Sheffield United by just January.
Linked players this summer...
Alan Smith - Although currently under contract at Newcastle United, Smith has been told he can leave the club. Since his last appearance for Leeds we have seen him change dramatically as a player. Many of the fans are divided on the subject of Smith as he left our beloved club to go to arch rivals Manchester United. I have spoken to many fans about the possibilities of recapturing Alan Smith and we are all divided on this choice too. It seems that since Smith has left he has become a different player all together. After leaving for Manchester United, Alan has been stricken with plenty of injuries, the worst of which was his leg break, which changed the way he's been playing over the least few seasons. Alan Smith, the man we knew as a striker has also now changed to a central midfield player. He could even be seen as a defensive midfielder, after a reputation of a hard-working player with a hard challenge in every tackle. I feel that since he's is getting no younger, now would be a good time to sign Alan Smith back. He's reached the age of 30 now and he is the player we need to keep our midfield organised and rigid. Hopefully he will see what's right and return to the club he once loved.
Lee Bowyer - There has not been much talk of Lee Bowyer coming back to Leeds and after being released by Birmingham City there are many clubs who look interested to sign the rough and ready midfielder. Although Bowyer got into vast amounts of trouble when he was last at Leeds it would be nice to see him return. As I feel he would be a fruitful signing that could open many avenue's to our attacking side. At the ripe old age of 34-years old, he would probably not be given the largest contract if he were to join, however it would be a highly interesting signing.
Jonathan Woodgate - This is a former player that has been talked about in the same amounts as Alan Smith really. Jonathan Woodgate made over 100 appearances for Leeds United back in the day and is a strong central defender that would add vast amounts of experience to our back-line. Although Stoke are in the running to sign the free agent as well, hopefully the man with the jagged career since he left Leeds will return to where he played at his best.
Jerzy Dudek - When I heard about the rumours that we could sign Jerzy Dudek I was, 1. surprised and 2. excited. Maybe he would come to us. After leaving Liverpool to go to Real Madrid, he has made only a handful of appearances, not being able to shunt Iker Casillas out of the first team. Dudek played well for Liverpool for the time he spent there and he may want to return to England. The experienced shot-stopper would be a welcome addition to the squad.
Andrew Lonergan - After talk of signing a better keeper than Kasper Schmeichel, I don't feel Andy fits the bill, and thats the nicest way I can say it. Lonergan is a good keeper don't get me wrong but I feel we could do better. We will also have to pay for him, which means there will be less money for players we need outfield so desperately. We could do far worse than Andy Lonergan but we could also do better. If he were to sign for us, I wouldn't be annoyed unless it jeopardised our chances of signing more outfield players.
Torsten Frings - Shocked when I read an article about the possible signing of Torsten Frings. A German international with bags of experience at international level and top level German football in the Bundesliga. Sadly Herr. Frings has signed for Toronto meaning we will have to leave our excitement behind.
Eric Lichaj and George McCartney - Two players that we loaned last season for each full-back position. Lichaj, an American youngster impressed for Leeds, spending a few months at the club. George McCartney did not impress me. A much older player than Lichaj who really should have more experience playing. Sadly it was hard to see why McCartney made the amount of appearances that he did. I would not like to see McCartney back at Leeds and thankfully there has been little talk of bringing him back to the club. On the other hand, Eric Lichaj has hinted he would be open to talks of signing for Leeds United. Grayson has also voiced his opinion on the youngster, stating that he is interested in signing the full-back on a permanent deal. I would gladly welcome back Lichaj, not so much McCartney.
Jack Cork - Too many clubs have been linked with signing this youngster on a permanent deal or another loan deal. Jack Cork was the star of the show for Burnley last season racking up 40 appearances and collecting many admirers along the way. Leeds are just one of the clubs who should be looking Jack Corks way and wondering what can we do to sign such a player. Leeds are in need of a full-back. Jack Cork could be the answer. Cork is pretty versatile also and can also play in midfield. When watching both Burnley fixtures last season I was impressed with the way he was able to move so quickly from attack to defence. He also has great vision and can even be the playmaker from the back. Jack Cork would be an ideal signing for Leeds if Ken booked up and dished out the cash.
Mike Grella - On trial at New York cosmos, however the young lad will not leave Leeds. All Leeds fans forget we have him and its obvious the coaching staff have forgotten too. The boy will not even leave to go on loan and gain some experience. On his twitter account he has also said that although the trials in New York are a privilege, he wants to stay playing football in England, in other words, he thinks he's good enough for Leeds. Not...
To sum up I believe we will make one or two good signings this transfer window and I believe we will spend a little bit of money. The positions we need to sort out are those in the full-back position, a new commanding centre-midfielder, and maybe just one more centre-back to bolster our defence. And of course a new keeper, who isn't just a shot-stopper.
