Even though Leeds United have had eight different players scoring in the Premier League so far this season, Marcelo Bielsa’s side have only managed 15 goals in as many league games, 10 goals fewer than they had at the same point last season.
Taking this into account, it seems as though the club could do with a bit of a boost in terms of their creative and attacking power on the pitch.
With the January transfer window approaching, the Whites being previously linked with a move for Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley back in November and the fact that journalist Pete O’Rourke claimed recently that the midfielder is on a list of transfer targets at Leeds, this could be exactly what they need to turn their season around and bring a bit of extra attacking depth to the squad.
After completing a loan spell with Aston Villa last season, where he scored three goals and provided one assist in 24 outings, the 28-year-old has found regular game-time back at Chelsea hard to come by this season, with just eight appearances across all competitions under his belt, starting only twice.
Labelled a “tremendous” player by former Villa manager Dean Smith, Barkley averaged 1.5 shots at goal and 1.6 key passes per game in his 26 Premier League appearances last season across Chelsea and Villa.
With this in mind and Barkley, who is currently picking up £100k-per-week at Stamford Bridge according to Salary Sport, having a lot of Premier League experience with 230 appearances, 28 goals and 31 assists at that level, he could offer Leeds a lot on the pitch in an attacking sense.
Would you take Ross Barkley at Leeds in January?
Yes
No
Looking ahead to January, if Victor Orta can convince Barkley to make the move to Elland Road with the promise of regular game-time, the 28-year-old definitely seems to have what it takes to revolutionise Bielsa’s side and turn their season around after an underwhelming start by potentially giving them a fresh creative and attacking outlet on the pitch.
Also, with Leeds only having three players in their senior squad who predominantly play in the central midfield position, it would be a good idea to secure Barkley’s signature to add some depth in that area of the pitch in case any of their current options pick up injuries throughout the rest of the campaign.
In other news – Time to shine: Bielsa must now unleash “superb” £17k-p/w prodigy after big Leeds blow