Leeds United wanted to sign James Hill from Bournemouth during the summer, and he could feature at Elland Road on Saturday.
After five games so far, Leeds fans have every right to be optimistic about their chances of staying in the Premier League this season.
Sweeping aside rivals Wolves with a 3-1 away win was a big statement, and up next is a much tougher prospect at home to high-flying Bournemouth.
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Leeds United v Bournemouth: Can Noah Okafor continue form after strong Molineux display?
Away at Wolves, Noah Okafor got off the mark with his first goal for the club like the two scorers before him. His ruthless finish on the break helped Leeds breathe a little easier in the second half when they soaked up pressure.
It was the first time we’ve seen the cutting edge that fans have hoped for from Okafor’s game, showing bright sparks and trickery in possession, but at Wolves adding output at the end of it.
Noah Okafor scored his first Leeds United goal away to Wolves. (Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs)
The task now for the Swiss international is producing that same calibre of attacking display on a consistent basis. Bournemouth, in spite of having their best defenders stripped from them in the summer, have started this season superbly with 10 points already.
The Cherries sit fourth in the table, but level on points with second-placed Arsenal – a testament to Andoni Iraola’s progress at the Vitality Stadium, having turned down Leeds’ advances in February 2023.
Noah Okafor could put huge pressure on Bournemouth’s Leeds United target James Hill
Leeds’ left flank will be looking to cause problems out wide for the much-changed Bournemouth back four, who lost multiple players in the summer.
A mainstay despite all of the change has been former Leeds loanee Adam Smith. However, a thigh injury for the 34-year-old means he won’t feature on Saturday.
Leeds United target James Hill could feature for Bournemouth at Elland Road on Saturday. (REUTERS/Ian Walton)
This leaves two options for Iraola: AC Milan loanee Alex Jimenez, and summer Leeds target James Hill, who came off the bench against Newcastle United last time out.
Leeds looked to Hill as a potential defensive solution as they continued talks with James Justin, alerted to the 23-year-old’s dwindling previous contract that expired in the summer. Now, they’ll be looking to expose the versatile defender if he features at Elland Road.
After the window shut, Hill extended his deal at the Vitality until the summer of 2029, snubbing any lingering Leeds interest.
Leeds will be hoping they can prove to Hill why they were looking to sign him by putting him under plenty of pressure. As much as Leeds come into this game as clear underdogs.
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