Leeds United were missing a creative attacking midfielder during the summer window, and their failure to sign one is obvious right now.
I’m beginning to sound like a broken record when looking at this Leeds squad and diagnosing what the issues are.
Daniel Farke was right to stress the importance of an attacking midfielder that could create chances frequently – a deal the club missed out on in August despite multiple targets surfacing.
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Can Leeds United find a way to create consistent chances without that right-wing addition?
Facundo Buonanotte and Harry Wilson looked perfect profiles for Leeds to add to their attack. However, despite both deals progressing, United had the rug pulled from beneath them by their league rivals in August.
It leaves Farke short, and needing to find internal solutions in the meantime. What hasn’t helped him is the fact that both of his main right-wing options haven’t been fit enough to start since August.
Willy Gnonto’s fitness is hampering Daniel Farke as he looks to get more out of Leeds United’s attack. (REUTERS/Jaimi Joy)
Dan James was up for the 24/25 Championship Player of the Season prize, but has yet to really make an impact this season. Meanwhile, Willy Gnonto’s fitness continues to be a real worry – how long is a minor calf issue and minor hernia surgery actually going to keep him sidelined?
Brenden Aaronson has had the unenviable task of filling in, producing one standout showing against West Ham, but struggling to muster up anything against sides that aren’t terrible.
Until January, it’s paramount that Farke finds a way to get a tune out of his right wing, to provide balance as Noah Okafor continuously carries 90% of United’s attacking threat.
Bilal El Khannouss could have been Leeds United’s missing piece after August swerve
Leeds were virtually on the brink of hitting their threshold when it came to PSR. That much was confirmed by managing director Robbie Evans in September.
Had Leeds have spent more, it would have meant sacrificing a player or two on a permanent basis before July 2026 to compensate.
However, Leeds weren’t short of obvious solutions to their problem of creating chances. Leicester City’s relegated star man Bilal El Khannouss continuously came up as a target of the clubs, holding a time-sensitive £24.5million release clause that expired in mid-August.
Bilal El Khannouss featured prominently on Leeds United’s transfer shortlist. (Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs)
Despite that fee being one Leeds didn’t see as worthwhile for the Moroccan, he ended up going on much favourable terms to the Bundesliga. Stuttgart agreed an initial loan with a permanent option worth a total of £19.3million, seeing him leave the King Power Stadium essentially for good.
How is Bilal El Khannouss getting on at Stuttgart after Leeds United turned their nose up?
His performances in a woeful Leicester side last season suggested he would quickly prosper from playing in a much more competent side.
Bilal El Khannouss is on fire at Stuttgart after leaving Leicester City. (REUTERS/Heiko Becker)
Stuttgart, having finished ninth and qualifying for the Europa League through domestic cup success, have gone from strength to strength despite losing Nick Woltemade and Enzo Millot. El Khannouss has been integral to their continued progression. They now sit sixth with the opportunity to go fourth tomorrow afternoon.
As well as producing strong numbers in the final third with a goal or assist every other appearance, his overall quality is catching the eye. Stuttgart already want the permanent option wrapped up as soon as they can.
It begs the question: if a player that good 21 is having an instant impact at a Europa League club, why didn’t Leeds think to proceed with a deal at such a low price? Even if it meant cashing in on a saleable asset, there could have been a couple that were worth considering.
At present, it looks fairly safe to say that El Khannouss is going to make a £19million loan-to-buy look like one of the biggest bargains of the past few seasons, and one Leeds really could have done with.
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