Leeds United are in a bit of a slump at the moment, yesterday’s 1-0 loss at Elland Road their fourth reverse in their last five games. Whites fans are itching and chomping at the bit – many wanting change.
Most would accept a simple change of fortune and an uplift where the early season form is replicated and their side continue to dominate as they did over the opening seven games of the season. For others the change lamented after is simply one regarding personnel switches for upcoming games.
There is a minority, quite a vocal one too across social media who are looking beyond the above two scenarios and actually at players being sold on, some even going all Cellino-esque and demanding the head of Thomas Christiansen.
Of course, when it comes to actually bringing new players into the club, January is the next and only option that Leeds United have – barring a dip into the free agent market. One of the areas that fans are concerned about is cover at the back, specifically in the centre of the defensive line.
Whilst, on paper, Leeds seem to have that area covered with Pontus Jansson, Liam Cooper, Matthew Pennington and Conor Shaughnessy, you have to remember that one of paper’s weaknesses is its inherent thinness.
One player that the Whites may wish to rekindle their interest in is rated French centre-back William Remy of Montpellier. According to renowned French publication L’Equipe, Leeds were one of two sides, QPR being the other, who were credited with interest in Remy at the tail-end of the summer transfer window.
L’Equipe said at the time that Leeds’ interest “is the most pressing yet,” before going on to say that the interest is one of “approaches without offer therefore at the moment.” With Leeds United credited with ‘pressing’ interest at the end of August, it may be something that the Whites might think of revisiting come the start of January.
Would it make sense though, to nip back over La Manche and in to France to bring in Remy? In more than one way it would make perfect sense.
Four quick reasons it would make sense to snap up William Remy
The former Lens and Dijon defender is still young at only 26 years old, but he does have 43 games of top-flight experience behind him during his time at Montpellier.
He is also coming to the end of his current deal, a deal that runs to June 31, 2018. He is currently out of favour at Montpellier, having not appeared this season at all – with even 40-year-old Brazilian Hilton having been picked above him.
He was a free transfer from Dijon when signing on at Ligue 1 Montpellier, so the club might not be predisposed towards wanting an extortionate fee for his signing. Coupled with his current out-of-favour and upcoming out-of-contract status, Leeds might have some ‘negotiation wiggle room’ here.
The Whites also need cover, no matter which way that you look at it. Matthew Pennington is only on loan at Elland Road, and is highly thought of at Everton. Youngster Conor Shaughnessy is a midfielder by trade, a centre-back by necessity – hardly the foundations to rely on over what will be a hard half-season from January on in. Other than first-choice, natural centre-backs Jansson and Cooper, it is a dip into the Under-23s for the likes of Paudie O’Connor or the shifting over of Luke Ayling from right-back.
