Leeds United should move for 23-y/o who stunned Real Madrid, better dribbler than Raphinha – View
Leeds United’s recruitment staff have the unenviable task of trying to replace Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter this month, but their scouting should be stretching to the continent.
The Whites are heading into their third game of the season yet again with a side devoid of the quality needed to win the Championship title, off the back of the same issues last August.
A clash with West Brom looms large for Leeds knowing that two of last season’s match-winning attackers aren’t present in Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.
Leeds to lose Georginio Rutter for £40m – Farke wants replacement ASAP
It was revealed on Thursday morning that, after Brighton had activated Rutter’s £40million release clause, the forward had agreed terms to move to the AMEX.
All eyes were on Daniel Farke and how he’d respond to the news of Rutter’s possible exit, to which he confirmed the Frenchman has bid farewell to the squad.
What Farke also stated is how he wants to replace Rutter and other outgoings, as he said (per LeedsLive):
“I stick to what I said. We need cover at full-back, a midfielder, a winger or offensive player and after Georgi, a second offensive player.
“They need the full package in all areas. You are not a top player inless you deliver goals and assists. They have to fit personality and mentality and be affordable. Not easy to attract this quality. Easier in the PL. This is what we work on.
“I know our key people are working hard behind the scenes. I know when there are no incoming there is stress, but I talk to them every day and they know what I want. I am carefully optimistic something will happen.”
West Brom v Leeds predictions?
Almeria’s Largie Ramazani would be strong Rutter replacement at Leeds
A name suggested by YEP journalist Joe Donnohue in terms of an attacking signing for Leeds was Almeria’s Belgian wide man Largie Ramazani, as he spoke on a recent Inside Elland Road podcast.
While the mentioning of his name wasn’t as a concrete link to Leeds or that he was a definite target, the 23-year-old makes a lot of sense now that Farke has lot his two best attacking outlets.
Ramazani’s Almeria were relegated from La Liga last season, but it wasn’t before the diminutive winger managed to catch the eye with several standout performances going forward, including a 38-second goal at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid:
The former Manchester United youth product’s versatility would come into play at Leeds too upon replacing Rutter, with Ramazani more than capable of playing across the front line behind the striker, either as a 10 or a winger on either side.
His three goals and five assists for the side who finished second bottom is a solid return, managing 0.58 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes – essentially contributing to a goal every other game in some way.
When comparing him to another winger Leeds will be familiar with, Barcelona’s Raphinha, Ramazani comes out on top with dribbling success, producing 1.79 successful take-ons compared to Raphinha’s 1.58 per 90. His progressive carrying distance with the ball at his feet per game is better, as well as the frequency at which he drives with the ball into the final third and opposition penalty area.
How much a winger of Ramazani’s quality costs is another story, but after relegation, it might be a signing within Leeds’ reach, if they considered a move.
