Leeds United are still in the market for a few new players before the January transfer window slams shut in the next week or so.
They’ve already made one signing, with Facundo Buonanotte joining the club on loan until the end of the season from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Yet, it seems like the club are not done there. Leeds are still looking for market opportunities wherever they might pop up, with Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen someone the club are looking to sign.
He could cost around £40m if they are to bring him to Elland Road this winter.
That is one of two potential signings for the Whites, with a move for another player with Premier League experience also being considered.
Leeds in talks to sign ex-Premier League star
It will be fascinating to see just how much wiggle room there is in the budget for Leeds as the window draws to a close. Striking a £40m deal for Strand Larsen could see a significant chunk of money leave the kitty available to Daniel Farke.
However, it seems that the 49ers regime are still in the market for a new left-back.
According to a report from the Mail’s print edition, via MOT Leeds News, the West Yorkshire side are reportedly looking at bringing Chelsea and England left-back Ben Chilwell to the club.
The report suggests that talks between the two clubs have begun, and states that the 49ers have already enquired about a move.
The complicated part of this deal is the fact that the defender is currently on loan at Ligue 1 Strasbourg, so that would have to be cancelled first.
Why Chilwell would be another Calvert-Lewin
Leeds seem to be looking for a new left-back to add depth and experience to their squad. Well, Chilwell has that in abundance, having played almost 200 times in the Premier League and lifted several major trophies, including the Champions League.
This season in Ligue 1, Chilwell has been an important player for French outfit Strasbourg, the sister club of Chelsea. He’s played 18 times across all competitions, grabbing two assists in that time, one in the top flight and one in the Conference League.
One of the biggest benefits to Chilwell’s game this season is the fact that he’s been so versatile. The defender is, of course, a left-back by trade, though he has also played as a centre-back and at left wing-back, from where he has grabbed one assist.
The creative threat he can pose from wing-back is something that might pique the interest of Farke. He’s shown that consistently in Premier League football, and averages 1.3 key passes per 90 minutes across his career in the English top flight.
His best individual season on that front came in 2021/22, where he averaged 1.8 key passes each game.
|
Chilwell – key passes per PL season |
|
|---|---|
|
Season |
Key passes (per game) |
|
2016/17 |
0.4 |
|
2017/18 |
1.1 |
|
2018.19 |
1.3 |
|
2019/20 |
1.3 |
|
2020/21 |
1.2 |
|
2021/22 |
1.8 |
|
2022/23 |
1.3 |
|
2023/24 |
1.7 |
|
2024/15 |
1.7 |
|
Stats from Sofascore |
|
Leeds would love Chilwell to replicate the impact Dominic Calvert-Lewin has made during the start of his Elland Road career.
The former Everton man has shone since moving back to his native Yorkshire on a free transfer last summer.
In 20 Premier League appearances in that famous White shirt so far, he’s found the back of the net nine times.
He’s currently on a run of eight goals in ten games, including strikes against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
That is exactly the sort of Premier League experience Chilwell would be hoping to add to the Leeds side, too. He is very much a plug-and-play type of signing, who’d require no adaptation to the top light and would hope to have an immediate impact.
Like Calvert-Lewin, Chilwell would be aiming to truly revive his stuttering career after a difficult few years, while he might have his own England or World Cup ambitions, just like his compatriot.
Indeed, Farke would love for the Chelsea man to replicate Calvert-Lewin in his own way, with goal involvements and chance creation from left wing-back.
He has the underlying numbers to back it up and, in a sense, would no doubt want to replicate the Leeds number nine’s impact.
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