Leeds United

3 Adam Forshaw upgrades Leeds United should be leaning on beyond 22/23

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Image for 3 Adam Forshaw upgrades Leeds United should be leaning on beyond 22/23

Leeds United are deciding whether to offer central-midfielder Adam Forshaw a new contract before the end of the season, with his current deal due to expire in the summer.

The club hold an option to extend by a further year, but his career at Leeds has been marred by injury and it is uncertain if they will decide to extend it.

There is already much uncertainty around the club’s future in the summer of 2023, with relegation a very real possibility for the Whites.

With Forshaw’s future at Elland Road also up in the air, we take a look at THREE possible upgrades Leeds should be leaning on for next season.

Nicolas Dominguez

If Leeds wished for a Forshaw like player, then they should look no further than Bologna’s Nicolas Dominguez.

The 24-year-old would be a younger and more dynamic version of the 31-year-old and has only a year left on his current deal with the Serie A club. Dominguez has the engine and mobility to play Tyler Adams’ role in an double pivot, but the ball progression to play the Marc Roca role as well.

The Argentine is comfortable playing off both feet, too, which is an extra added bonus. It’s his ball retention and circulation which is most akin to Forshaw. Dominguez is a tidy ball player who is younger and of higher quality, with a better injury record than Forshaw, too. The Whites could do much worse.

The big updated Adam Forshaw quiz - Can Leeds United fans score 20/20?

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In what year was Adam Forshaw born?

Alex Scott

If Leeds wanted a more attack-minded midfielder, with Adams, Roca and Weston McKennie covering the deeper midfield spots, then they should be in for Alex Scott of Bristol City this summer.

Scott is versatile and has played a variety of diffrerent midfield roles at Ashton Gate, but is more of a creative midfielder with good progressive passing. He could be a bit of a project to play in central or attacking-midfield for Leeds but would add a new dynamic to Leeds’ midfield.

In some ways McKennie is the main upgrade for Forshaw, so Scott could be the replacement for Mateusz Klich in the pockets behind the forwards. His dribbling and carrying threat is improving all the time as well. The 19-year-old won’t be short of suitors, though.

Lewis Bate

Regardless of the division Leeds are in next season, Bate should be in the plans of the manager in 2023/24.

If Leeds get relegated, there is an argument for him to be starting for them at Championship level, because he has been excellent for Oxford United in recent months particularly and should easily be able to make the step up from League One. However, even if the Whites are a Premier League side, he should still be involved in some capacity.

Retaining Forshaw potentially blocks the pathway for players like Bate, and is perhaps a good reason why letting him go now is the right time. Bate is a special talent and will have a first-team impact next season irrespective of the league Leeds are in. He needs chances to shine again as his loan has been successful and beneficial at giving him senior minutes for his development.

A wonderful progressive passer in the deeper roles, and very press resistant, too. Leeds need to make the pathway for the central-midfielder clear.

Will Bate eventually break into Leeds' first-team?

Yes

Yes

No

No

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