Leeds United attempted to sign an attacking loan player in August, bringing in Manor Solomon from Tottenham, but have yet to produce anything, while Middlesbrough gain from a youthful gamble in Liverpool’s Ben Doak.
Daniel Farke lost a few key players in the summer window after failing to secure promotion on the first attempt, but he successfully replaced the most of them.
As he sought to replace two key strikers, Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville, he brought in Manor Solomon on loan from Tottenham.
Is Manor Solomon still struggling for fitness at Leeds?
The signing of Solomon divided opinion in more ways than one, but there is no disputing that if he can stay fit, Leeds would have made a very shrewd signing.
Their problem is that ‘if’ is a huge one, as the winger came into this season after two consecutive seasons plagued by long-term injury setbacks at Fulham and Tottenham.
His debut against Hull City promised a lot, as he provided a clever assist for Mateo Joseph, but fitness has been a problem for him and Farke one they have yet to solve.
He’s been gradually worked back into the side since that setback, starting in the game against QPR while managing fine to help Leeds to a 2-0 win.
Might Leeds be jealous of Middlesbrough amid Ben Doak’s emergence?
Another winger joining a Championship promotion hopeful on loan this season was Liverpool’s Ben Doak moving to Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough.
Doak, a right-winger, fits exactly what Leeds now need in their assault as a key creator for ‘Boro.
With one goal and three assists, he has set up teammates for three goals in the last two games, helping the Teessiders to a nine-goal week against QPR and Luton Town.
With the benefit of hindsight, Leeds might be envious of Doak at Middlesbrough, given that both he and Solomon missed the majority of last season due to an identical meniscus injury, and the 19-year-old hadn’t had a season of regular minutes at senior level prior to this campaign – if you were to pick a player to add guaranteed quality to the Leeds side this season, not many
However, the Scotland international is emerging as one of the top wingers in the Championship, while Leeds is hopeful that Solomon’s form will improve.
It’s not Solomon’s fault that he’s playing catch-up in terms of fitness and consistency in the final third, but Leeds fans can’t help but be envious when a promotion opponent has a player who would be ideal for their team.
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