Former Leeds United defender and regular Sky Sports pundit, Stephen Warnock, has said that the Whites could yet go down due to their lack of investment.
Leeds are now firmly back in the relegation mix after both Burnley and Everton won at the weekend. Jesse Marsch’s side were hammered by Manchester City, as their woes deepened at Elland Road. And to make matters worse on Saturday, stalwart defender, Stuart Dallas, was seriously injured.
However, while Warnock conceded that the loss of Dallas will be a blow for Leeds, he feels that a lack of new striker is the biggest issue that will cost the club.
“I just feel that they missed out on buying a striker in January, Leeds. And that was so, so important. Whether that was the club, or Bielsa’s stubbornness, that has cost them,” Warnock said on Sky Sports today.
Leeds have been unlucky with injury when it comes to a number of top players this year. Of course, Patrick Bamford’s absence has been harshly felt, hence Warnock’s comments here.
The club face a fight on their hands to keep hold of Raphinha this summer, while Kalvin Phillips is also said to be on the radar of other Premier League clubs.
TBR’s View: Leeds Need To Spend If They Can Stay Up
It’s a great point, this, from Warnock. Leeds knew at the time that they were struggling in certain areas and they didn’t do anything to address it. As the Sky man says, whether that was down to Bielsa or the club in general, is unknown.
However, should Leeds manage to beat the drop, then they know exactly what they need to do to improve for next year.
Yes, they need to add a striker. But they also need more depth elsewhere. Too often they rely on young players, and that simply has to change if they maintain their PL place.