Cheikhou Kouyate to Leeds United: O’Rourke reacts to big twist

According to sources that spoke with Football Insider, Leeds United is thinking about signing Cheikou Kouyate to increase their alternatives in the midfield.

Senior journalist Pete O’Rourke stated on the most recent episode of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast that if Leeds’ midfield suffers any more injuries, the team will be forced to turn to the free agent market.

This comes after Leeds’ first-team roster suffered a severe hit when both Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu were declared sidelined until the new year.

O’Rourke maintained that considering Kouyate’s Premier League background with Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, and West Ham, he would be a “smart” addition for Daniel Farke’s team.

The 34-year-old has made 324 appearances across the three English clubs and made 14 appearances for Forest last time out.

He is versatile and able to play in a central midfield role as well as a defensive midfielder or even a centre-back if required – something Farke is known to appreciate.

Kouyate has also picked up 92 caps for Senegal, earning an abundance of international experience and helping his country to win the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022.

Leeds United tipped to land Chiekhou Kouyate signing

When Kouyate’s contract at the City Ground expired at the end of the previous season, he was free to sign with any team, including Nottingham Forest.

As Farke’s team looks to push for promotion this season, his depth of experience in the Premier League and on the international scene will be helpful.

Any outcome short of promotion will be considered a failure, even if there are no injuries. This is because they lost out on a playoff spot after losing in the previous season’s final.

To make sure that the loss of Ampadu and Gruev isn’t felt too badly, Farke would be wise to sign a free agent.

Although Leeds may feel they need more depth in the midfield, their present possibilities to replace the injured midfield duo are Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka.

If they were to suffer another setback, it would be necessary for them to either pursue a free agent or bring one of their academy graduates into the starting lineup.

Farke has one of the youngest starting lineups in the competition with an average age of only 24.4 in the Championship thus far this season.

Consequently, their chances of winning promotion back to the Premier League may be significantly impacted by the appointment of an experienced leader to the team.

Read more news on https://sportupdates.co.uk/