Leeds United are still in the market for several new signings before the January transfer window closes next week or so.
They have already signed one player, with Facundo Buonanotte joining the club on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion until the end of the season.
But it looks like the club isn’t stopping there. Leeds are still looking for market opportunities to emerge wherever they may arise, with the club considering signing Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Bringing him to Elland Road this winter could cost around £40m.
This is one of two signings from the Whites, who are also considering signing another player with Premier League experience.
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It will be interesting to see how much space Leeds have in their budget as the end approaches. Signing Strand Larsen to a £40m deal could leave a significant amount of money for Daniel Farke to use in his kitty.
However, it appears the 49ers system is still in the market for a new left back.
The West Yorkshire side are reportedly considering bringing Chelsea and England left-back Ben Chilwell to the club, according to a report in the Mail via MOT Leeds News.
The report suggests that negotiations have begun between the two clubs, and states that the 49ers have already approached him about the move.
A complicating part of this deal is the fact that the defender is currently on loan at Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, so that would have to be canceled first.
Why Chilwell is another Calvert-Lewin
Leeds are reportedly looking for a new left-back to add depth and experience to their squad. Chilwell had plenty of that, making almost 200 appearances in the Premier League and winning several major trophies, including the Champions League.
Chilwell has been a key player for Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg in France this season in Ligue 1. He made 18 appearances in all competitions, during which he provided two assists, one in the Top League and one in the Conference League.
One of the biggest assets to Chilwell’s game this season is the fact that he is extremely versatile. Of course, the defender has been traded as a left-back, but he has also played as a centre-back and left wing-back, where he recorded one assist.
The creative threat he poses from wing-back could pique Falke’s interest. He has shown this consistently in Premier League football, completing an average of 1.3 key passes per 90 minutes during his career in England’s top flight.
His best individual season in this respect came in 2021/22, when he averaged 1.8 key passes per game.
Chilwell – Key passes by PL season | |
|---|---|
season | Key Pass (per game) |
2016/17 | 0.4 |
2017/18 | 1.1 |
2018.19 | 1.3 |
2019/20 | 1.3 |
2020/21 | 1.2 |
2021/22 | 1.8 |
2022/23 | 1.3 |
2023/24 | 1.7 |
2024/15 | 1.7 |
Sofa score statistics | |
Leeds will be hoping Chilwell can replicate the impact Dominic Calvert-Lewin had when he started his career at Elland Road.
The former Everton player has shined since returning to his native Yorkshire on a free transfer last summer.
So far, he has played 20 times in the Premier League wearing the famous white shirt, scoring nine times.
He currently has eight goals in 10 games, including goals against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
It’s exactly the kind of thing Chilwell would like to add to his Premier League experience to the Leeds side as well. He’s very much a plug-and-play type of signing, not having to adapt to the top lights and hoping to make an impact right away.
Like Calvert-Lewin, Chilwell will aim to truly revive his stuttering career after a difficult few years, while like his compatriot he may also have England and World Cup ambitions.
In fact, Farke hopes the Chelsea man can recreate Calvert-Lewin in his own way, getting involved in goals and creating chances from left wing-back.
He has the fundamental numbers to back it up and in some ways he will no doubt be looking to replicate the influence of Leeds’ number nine.
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