Should Leeds United gain promotion to the top-flight, several areas of the squad would need bolstering in order for the Whites to compete at the highest level.
The compliment from Watford boss Tom Cleverley that United equate close to a mid-table Premier League side is flattering but perhaps a little overblown. Leicester City had the strongest squad by a distance last season yet are in a top-tier relegation fight.
The Foxes have admittedly had two changes in manager since their promotion but they have won just four of their 24 matches and lost 15 of them. It wasn’t so long ago that analysts were giving Cleverley-esque plaudits to Burnley, either.
Vincent Kompany ran away with the Championship title in the 2022/23 season as the Clarets amassed 101 points to finish clear of the play-offs by some 21 points. They were relegated from the Premier League straight away.
So Leeds would be naive not to take lessons from both cases. Their decision not to spend a penny in January will help with creating more Financial Fair Play headspace come the summer, when United – if promoted – will have less room than Premier League regulars.
Those who have been in the top-flight for the last three years are permitted to lose £105million over that period, or £35m a season. This is lower for those who spend campaigns in the Championship, with clubs only allowed to lose just over £13m per second-tier season.
United will therefore need to be clever with their transfers this summer. What will not help is the initial scheduled exit of two players who are at Elland Road on loan.
Manor Solomon and Joe Rothwell are due to return to respective parent clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth, thereby immediately weakening the squad. Of course, United will have their own loan players returning home but it is unclear how big a role any will play for Daniel Farke.
One transfer objective seems to be growing more obvious, though. Solomon has been a key cog in United’s attack and is currently in the best form of his Leeds stay. Four goals and four assists in his last seven games denotes a player who will be returning to top-tier football next season.
Leeds just have to make sure it is with them. Solomon has gone on record saying he is happy at Elland Road, though this does not always necessarily mean a desire to stay long-term.
The winger is contracted at Tottenham until 2028 and it is entirely feasible he plays a role in Spurs’ season next campaign given the current malaise of the club. Though, it may depend on whether Ange Postecoglou is still at the helm.
It’s uncertain how the Australian views Solomon given the attacker only played six games for him prior to his meniscus injury that ruled him out for the rest of last season. Within those six matches, Solomon started just half. When asked if Solomon could be recalled in January, Postecoglou gave a firm “no”.
More ambiguity over the player’s future will stir should Postecoglou be shown the door by Daniel Levy. There is no guarantee a new manager will want to keep hold of Solomon, whereas it is surely certain that Farke does.
What is encouraging about Solomon’s recent form is that he is producing even when he is not having his most thrilling game. The 4-0 win against Watford was a clear example of this.
The Israeli by no means had a bad game and was indeed proactive but Farke was seen gesturing to him several times in the first half, not totally satisfied with what he saw. Yet, despite his quiet phases, Solomon still managed to score and record an assist.
As well as his short burst with Spurs, Solomon has Premier League experience with Fulham, tallying four goals in 19 appearances for the Cottagers during the 2022/23 campaign. All experience counts.
Solomon has found his peak form in England at Leeds, who have provided an environment that is seeing him deliver the goods. United have a good case to convince him to sign permanently.
Of course, cost will play a significant factor, especially with three years still left on his Tottenham contract. But in light of what he offers to Leeds, who might have to place more emphasis on the counter-attack upon promotion, Solomon would be an ideal first summer signing.
Not only would it solve the need to fill a hole in the team but also adds familiarity and security for teammates. Signing Solomon might not be straight-forward and easy, but it is becoming a growingly obvious transfer objective.
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