One goal in four Premier League games. Leeds United are struggling to find the back of the net, and even worse, create chances in the Premier League. On this basis, January cannot come soon enough.
After the 1-0 win over at Everton, Leeds have failed to score in their last three games. A couple of chances in the 5-0 loss to Arsenal has been followed by a 0-0 draw against Newcastle and a 1-0 loss to Fulham.
There have been a few decent chances but Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe have been forced to feed off scraps. It is why Leeds tried to sign Harry Wilson and Facundo Buonanotte.
But is the problem a lack of creativity from attacking midfield? Is it Daniel Farke’s pragmatic approach? Or is it that Nmecha is not Premier League standard, Piroe is far from it and Calvert-Lewin is not fully fit?
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty ImagesStriker eyed by Leeds will be growing more and more frustrated
Robbie Evans has made it clear that Leeds have maxed out PSR. If they are to enter the January window, then they will need to sell to buy or sign a player on loan. One option could be Roma’s Artem Dovbyk.
Leeds held talks to sign Dovbyk in the summer, just a year after Roma paid £30m to land the Ukrainian from Girona. New Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini has signed Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton.
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He is out of favour, and yet Dovbyk’s agent ruled out a move in the summer. However, his lack of minutes this season could mean Dovbyk performs a u-turn come January. Leeds are said to be keeping tabs.
On Sunday, Dovbyk was an unused sub as Roma suffered a surprise home defeat to Torino. Giovanni Simeone, son of Atletico Madrid manager Diego, scored the only goal of the game before the hour mark.
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Are Leeds performing to their XG, do they need Dovbyk?
Before Sunday’s fixtures, Leeds boasted the 14th-best XG in the league. A total of 3.8 goals, judging by their chances. In actual fact, Daniel Farke’s men have scored just 1. They are underperforming in attack.
That would suggest criticism lies with the strikers. Calvert-Lewin missed a good chance against Newcastle and his header against Fulham was straight at Bernd Leno. Joel Piroe had chances in the win over Everton.
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If Leeds brought in a player such as Dovbyk, La Liga’s 2023-24 golden boot winner, it would be a real signal of intent. A loan deal could be likely, if Dovbyk continues to remain on the sidelines at Roma.