There was speculation that manager Daniel Farke could be sacked, as some within the club were unconvinced he was the right man to keep them in the top flight – despite guiding Leeds to last season’s Championship title with 100 points.
That concern was based on his two Premier League seasons with Norwich – 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 – both of which ended in relegation. Each time he earned promotion with Norwich by winning the Championship title, the club spent very little to strengthen the squad and ultimately paid the price.
Leeds hopes to avoid making the same mistake. Although the January transfer window is four months away, the club has already identified two key areas for improvement – a winger and an attacking midfielder.
It had already bolstered its attack with former Everton talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has scored once in three games. Calvert-Lewin was outstanding against Wolves last weekend, scoring one goal and winning the freekick converted by Anton Stach. He was a constant threat with his towering headers and high work rate.
Calvert-Lewin has suffered numerous injuries during his nine years at Everton, so it makes sense that Leeds is seeking additional firepower, despite also signing forward Sean Longstaff in the summer. If Farke can keep him fit, Calvert-Lewin could play a major role in helping Leeds remain in the top flight. One way to achieve this is by managing his minutes on the pitch and having capable substitutes ready.
Leeds hosts Bournemouth on Sept 27 (10pm), with the Cherries flying high with 10 points from three wins, one draw, and one defeat. Antoine Semenyo has been Bournemouth’s standout player, scoring three goals and providing two assists to help the club rise to fourth in the table.
Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Arsenal were linked with the Ghana international in the summer, but he chose to extend his contract with Bournemouth. If he continues his sensational form, some of those clubs could return in January.
Will it be Calvert-Lewin or Semenyo grabbing the headlines?
Another intriguing tie sees league leader Liverpool travelling to London on Sept 27 (10pm) to face Crystal Palace, a clash between the only two unbeaten teams in the Premier League. Both clubs feature birds in their crests – the Liver bird for Liverpool and an eagle for Palace.
Liverpool remains the only team with a 100 per cent winning record across the top four divisions in England after five matches, while Palace has two wins and three draws, sitting fifth in the table with nine points, six behind the Reds.
The match will also serve as a warm-up for their fourth-round League Cup clash at the end of October. Palace enters the match having beaten Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield in August, after a 2-2 draw in normal time.
Liverpool also attempted to sign Palace captain Marc Guehi, but the deal fell through at the last minute as Eagles manager Oliver Glasner felt he had no time to find a replacement. With Liverpool’s Giovanni Leoni facing months out after tearing the cruciate ligament in his left knee, the club may renew its interest in Guehi in January rather than waiting for his contract to run down in May.
Disclaimer: The story “Leeds targets attacking reinforcements to stay in Premier League” first appeared on Twentytwo13 and is syndicated via Digpu & NewsTex.