It is fair to say that over the years, Leeds have been linked with every Tom, Dick and Harry about, but this season we might actually bring some of them in.
There has been little in the way of stone-cold deals going through (bar the apparent Warnock move to Derby), however there has been a fair few rumours flying about. It is clear to us fans where we need to strengthen, but whether or not those in charge of signing the players agree is a different matter entirely.
This article will be used to give my personal assessment on some of the players we have been linked with. I will also include some fans opinions for each player that I gained from our favourite social media platform, Twitter.
Sol Bamba
Position: Defender
Age: 29 years old
55 games for Leicester whilst in the Championship.
6’3 in height
Only one game this season for Palermo
When we were first linked with Bamba I was excited. Mostly because I had heard of him, and whilst he was playing in England, he had been a fairly solid defender. I was also excited because he is tall. We are known for being poor in the air, so at 6’3, Sol offers an ability to actually head clear a corner, and maybe even convert a few of our own.
Then it dawned on me. He was a good defender whilst at Leicester, why have I have little of him since? Sol left Leicester at the end of the 2011/12 season and has only appeared 36 times in the 2 and a half seasons since. Of course, I have no idea on why he has played so little recently, but whatever the reason, his lack of game-time hardly bodes well in his favour.
However, with Warnock presumably on his way out, there is little else Championship experience left at the back, and for that reason along with the fact it adds some depth to our defence, I would be happy if he signed for Leeds this transfer window.
@PaddingtonBaird great signing! but we’ve heard of him and he’s played English football so not likely…
— James McCarthy (@bigmacca199) January 12, 2015
@PaddingtonBaird I know him. He’s was on X-Factor right?
— Andreus Camoranesi (@FooWhiter) January 12, 2015
@PaddingtonBaird who?
— Chilli Bean (@adam_ski) January 12, 2015
Granddi N’Goyi
Position: Midifelder
Age: 26 years old
A Serie A player, currently at Palermo
0 goals, assists or shots
Featured 9 times on the bench, coming on in 5 occasions this season
I know what you may all be thinking – “Who?” To be honest, I thought exactly the same. A Serie A player that most have not heard of. Well the reason for this is that he hardly plays. 5 substitute appearances so far this season, hardly screams ‘quality holding midfielder’.
To be honest, he actually sounds like a cross between a talentless Diaby and the one and only Rudy Austin. In fact, Austin sounds better to be honest, and if he isn’t leaving us this window, I don’t see the need of signing another unheard of, Italian league player. Would prefer to see time spent elsewhere when trying to bring a player in.
@PaddingtonBaird Many like him for his Champion experience
— WACCOE (@WACCOE) January 12, 2015
@PaddingtonBaird labelled the new Rodolph Austin apparently. Ace.
— Jase (@Jase0909) January 12, 2015
@PaddingtonBaird Ive no idea how good he is mate so cant form an opion other than he’d need time to settle which imo we dont have.
— mark Stevo! (@markstevo72) January 12, 2015
Josip Ilicic
Position: Midfielder
Age: 26 years old
Currently plays for Fiorentina
26 caps for Slovenia, including 4 in 2014
A goal against Milan this season
One of the few linked with Leeds that I have actually heard of, but to be honest I am not entirely sure why I have heard of him. He has featured in 11 games so far this season and currently has 1 goal and 0 assists as an attacking midfielder. At least he has played in some quality games being a part of a Serie A side, eh?
With the new formation, we have room for 3 attacking midfielders, so Ilicic may fit the bill perfectly. Offers from elsewhere have also been made for him, so the quality has been recognised by other teams too. Plus, one of our main issues is the lack of service are stiekrs are getting. Maybe Ilicic could provide that service?
All in all, I would be pretty happy with this signing if it pulled through. However, I highly doubt we will be bringing Ilicic into Leeds this January.
@PaddingtonBaird @WACCOE to be fair he is meant to be good and I have actually heard of him. Probably won’t get him though
— JPens (@Jamesrpenny) January 12, 2015
@bigmacca199 @PaddingtonBaird if he signs ol be shocked. way too good for the champ
— Matt Staniforth (@MattStaniforth) January 12, 2015
@PaddingtonBaird Now that’s a who the feck?
— WACCOE (@WACCOE) January 12, 2015
Leonardo Pavoletti
Position: Forward
Age: 26 years old
Currently plays for Sassuolo
Has just the single goal this season
He also reminds me of Bellusci
Had never heard of him before he was linked to us. I am not convinced at all by Pavoletti. He has only been used 8 times as a substitute so has very little game time. He has no experience of the Championship and his solitary goal doesn’t exactly sound like what we are currently looking for.
We need someone up top that will put away his chances, and despite scoring 30+ goals last year in Serie B (a league which has proven to be of a lower standard than expected), I am just not overly sure he will get us the game-winning goals we might need.
@PaddingtonBaird Great singer, but he’s been dead for 7 years so not sure how much use he’d be
— James McCarthy (@bigmacca199) January 12, 2015
@PaddingtonBaird poor mans Casper Sloth
— Dan (@adrydan_) January 12, 2015
@PaddingtonBaird He’s changed his mind. Doesn’t want to ride in a Reliant Robin.
— Steve Pike (@Spike0504) January 12, 2015
Luciano Becchio
Position: Forward
Age: 31 years old
Currently wasted at Norwich City
86 previous goals for Leeds United
He, along with Messi and Aguero, is Argentinian
Can we just have him back now, please? We sold Becchio whilst he was in the form of his life and I am gutted I never got to witness that season ending with him in a Leeds shirt. He is a proven Championship striker. No doubt about it. He may be recovering from a recent injury but so what? He still has the ability to score.
Despite only playing 3 games (5 less than Pavoletti) he has scored twice (one more than Pavoletti), and that is in the league he will actually be playing in! He is also good in the air in both our own box and the opponents. What’s not to like?
People want to leave the past as the past, with Becchio held high in their admirations, but I don’t care. I want him back now. I want him home. Whatever happens I will still love him. Plus, he can’t score any less goals than our current strikers are scoring as of late. Sing the lad up!
@PaddingtonBaird if (when) Warnock goes, we’re gonna need an experienced player who knows what the club means and why it’s worth the fight.
— Danielle. (@_daniellewh) January 12, 2015
@PaddingtonBaird We shouldn’t sign him. He’s not been playing for a long time & injured. Best left as we remember him, frankly. #lufc
— LUFC Tommy D (@tdski_LUFC) January 12, 2015
@PaddingtonBaird @WACCOE Luciano scores goals. .. holds the ballup.brings others into play. great in the air.. MC likes 2nd rate Italians.
— Gary H (@garyLeeds72) January 12, 2015
We are closely linked to relegation!
The rest is just a fantasy!
Its hard going back he was a legend when he left, if he didnt produce the goods he would get hammered on the other hand if he did he would be more of a legend, remember seeing him first time wi beckford and them 2 clicked straight sway and was an awesome partnership for us, got promoted nd everyone including myself thought he would struggle with out his what shirt am i wearing brov, proved us all wrong and proved himself to be a lone striker, legend would love him back
I for 1 have stopped listing to who we are signing as it is a waste of time , we fans are running out of patience with all the crap being waffled ABOUT , EVEN WHEN THE MANAGER SAYS we will have players in before Bolton game and low and behold not 1 player through the doorand at least 3 players out .
remember howard bringing in lee chapman well whatys not to like about becchio coming back
could kick start our season.
lets look at this logically we are at the bottom end of the championship our defence record is bad our attack does not have backup we are a club trying to climb the table would you as a top player come here NO we have the makings of a good team but their young no experiance if bechio was to say yes we should welcome him with open arms the midfield needs sorting out we need a settled 11 players who can work and learn from each other and play together i honestly cannot see any good players coming here as yet but we live in hope can someone be honest please is there anybody in the pipe line because im sick of all these names being pulled out of the hat and empty promises.
Luciano beccio ! Two reasons we want him cause he’s better than berbatov and he scores more goals just yo hear that ringing in th stands might get the team back on track
Another window, same old same old from the clowns at Leeds. Redfearn bangs on about the list of players he gave Cellino, what have we got ? El Presidente still in Miami, no mention , apart from media speculation of players coming in, and one of our most experienced defenders rumoured to be on his way out the door. It could only happen at Leeds
I wonder weather another week will be wasted and pass without anything happening yet again, just like last week.
I really now think that Leeds bringing in new players during this current transfer embargo is practically impossible, with wages a big problem also and all of the daily hype about new players coming in, is just to keep the long suffering Leeds fans onside.
The way things are going, I would be shocked if new signings are made in time for the Birmingham game and if not as usual the same stale players will take their usual positions and fail as usual.
cellino needs to stop running us like a euro team by tht i mean get a manager not a coach and let them buy players, everyone he has bought is a bad as what we had before including adryan
players going out none coming in same all the time this club is sinking ,cellino please tell the fans what are you going to do. you said we would be in prem in 2 years more like leg 2
There has been a long affinity with Australians playing fr Leeds over the years….the Asian cups on at the mo. cellino should be looking at a bloke called loungo and leckie… ones a midfielder onesa winger…class young and hungry….playing for Swindon and div 2 in Germany…..stars of the future….heard it here first