Bielsa more than happy to work with what he has at Leeds
MARCELO BIELSA says he expects January to pass without any major signings for Leeds United.
The Argentinian all but ruled out outfield additions during the next transfer window despite the relentless string of injuries at Elland Road and a glaring opportunity to win promotion in his first season in charge. Leeds sit second in the Championship after 20 games.
The club are likely to bring in a goalkeeper to compete with Bailey Peacock-Farrell after losing on-loan Chelsea player Jamal Blackman to a broken leg last month, but Bielsa warned that transfers which would make a material difference to his team were “not easily available”.
Leeds are maintaining their strong league position despite a long run of injury problems, the latest affecting captain Liam Cooper and wing-back Stuart Dallas.
Cooper is out for up to six weeks after undergoing knee surgery in Rome on Wednesday, while Dallas will miss a similar period of the season with a fractured foot.
Defenders Luke Ayling and Gaetano Berardi have been absent for a month, while Izzy Brown and Patrick Bamford are almost ready to return from longterm knee injuries but Bielsa, who has used academy players to fill gaps in his line-up, said he had faith in his existing squad to see out the campaign.
“I’m very happy with and the players Victor Orta (United’s director of football) brought to the club,” said Bielsa. “I don’t see the need to bring any other player in now.
“If it’s a player better than the ones we have then I would agree with the fact that he comes but I know how expensive that could be. And when a new player comes he doesn’t have the same advantage as the ones who are already present. He has to adapt to the team, the style of work, the city and the club.
“Apart from a situation where the team needs someone and the possibility of having a player is clear, we won’t buy anyone.
“I prefer instead to improve the quality of the work here. A team usually reflects the quality of the players’ individualities but it’s also linked to the training they receive.”