Leeds United’s main regret from the summer window was their lack of attacking midfield signing, missing out on Facundo Buonanotte as he opted to join Chelsea instead.
United boss Daniel Farke will definitely be enthused with how he and his squad have fared so far in the Premier League. However, there is room for improvement.
In attack, Leeds look like they could do with more. Six goals in the last three is good, but there’s no hiding from the right-wing looking a weak point in the lineup.
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Unnamed agent names Facundo Buonanotte to Chelsea as worst PL signing this season
It wasn’t for the lack of trying for Leeds in trying to replace Large Ramazani with someone more suited to their Premier League survival effort.
The club had multiple wingers in their crosshairs, few coming as close to signing at Elland Road as Facundo Buonanotte. The Brighton talent was due to fly up to West Yorkshire before Chelsea swooped in and hijacked the deal, signing him on a straight loan with no buy option.
Facundo Buonanotte rejected Leeds United to join Chelsea in August. (Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith)
Buonanotte is in need of game time that isn’t forthcoming at the AMEX. So, Leeds looked an ideal destination after his spell at Leicester City. However, he opted for Chelsea where – as a right-sided attacking midfielder – finds himself competing with the electric Cole Palmer and Estevao for minutes in the side.
He was initially left out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad, underlining his baffling decision to move to Stamford Bridge. Although, Dario Essugo’s injury opened the door for him to be brought back in as an afterthought.
90 of Buonanotte’s 190 minutes have come against Lincoln City in the EFL Cup, where he scored. As a result, his decision to snub Leeds for Chelsea has come under scrutiny. The Athletic have revealed a survey with 20 unnamed agents regarding the summer just gone, and the transfers conducted.
When asked who was the worst signing of the summer, Buonanotte received a vote as Benjamin Sesko’s £74million move to Manchester United came out top as the worst.
Facundo Buonanotte’s Chelsea move over Leeds United makes no sense for his career
Chelsea are relatively stacked when it comes to attacking talent to support the front man. It says a lot that Buonanotte joined as third choice in his own position.
It made no sense whatsoever for him to decide a straight loan at Chelsea would be better than Leeds. He would be playing every week here and starting most often.
We profiled that position very well and Buonanotte looked the ideal signing. But ultimately, he’s decided a bit-part role in a top side is better for him.
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