Leeds United Take a break from championship Action this weekend as they prepare to host Harrogate Town at Elland Road in the third round of the FA Cup.
The White Team has the opportunity to give chances to some of the reserve players in the group to see if any of them are capable of giving chances. Daniel Fark The headache of choice before the next league matches.
Karl Darlow, after Illan Meslier's errors against Hull City last time out, as shown in the points below, will get a game to show his ability between the sticks.
The former Newcastle United goalkeeper will be keen to show he has what it takes to progress in the Championship, if Farke decides to make a change between the woods.
Mathieu Joseph, with Patrick Bamford and Joel Perrot out due to injury, could get the chance to lead the line from the start against the League Two side.
A big performance could be needed from the Spain Under-21 international, amid talk of Leeds' interest in adding another number nine to their squad during the January transfer window, which opened for business last week.
Leeds are eyeing a striker deal
according to Sky Sports journalist Ben HicknerThe White Team is seeking to sign Hoffenheim striker Mergem Berisha to enhance its attacking options in the second half of the season.
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The reporter claims that Leeds and German side Werder Bremen are interested in the former Germany international, meaning the Championship side may need to fight to secure his services before the end of the transfer window.
He adds that any deal could be structured in a way that would see the striker move to Elland Road on an 18-month loan, with the option to make the move permanent in the summer of 2026.
This would provide Leeds or Werder Bremen with the opportunity to control Berisha for the best part of two seasons before they decide whether or not they want to keep him long-term.
However, there is no mention of the amount of money Hoffenheim are set to demand for a permanent option, or how much they want as a loan fee for the first 18 months, meaning it is difficult to gauge the viability of a deal. Financially for whites at this moment in time.
However, it is a move that could make a lot of sense for Leeds and would be one that would allow them to finally wave goodbye to Joe Gelhardt, who has been linked with a move away from West Yorkshire this month.
Why could this be the end for Joe Gelhardt?
Speaking before the confrontation with Harrogate, FARC explained Gelhardt is free to speak with other clubs but has not made a final decision on whether or not the striker will be allowed to leave in the current window.
with Bamford and Peru out injuredJoseph and the England striker are the German coach's only two centre-forward options this weekend, which may be why he is a little hesitant to agree to a transfer at this time.
However, bringing in a veteran No.9 like Berisha would provide the former Norwich City boss with another quality option in that position, allowing him to send Gelhardt on his way without worrying about what it would do to the strength of his squad's depth.
Championship strugglers Hull City are one of the clubs He is said to be interested in signing The 22-year-old loser, who has been unable to force his way into the FARC's plans for the past 18 months or so.
|
Joe Gilhardt (Championship) |
23/24 |
24/25 |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
10 |
2 |
|
minutes |
205 |
9 |
|
Objectives |
0 |
0 |
|
It created great opportunities |
0 |
0 |
|
Helps |
0 |
0 |
As you can see in the table above, Gelhardt is rarely used by the Leeds manager, and has had little to no impact on the pitch in the limited time he has been given, with zero goals, zero assists, and zero 'big chances'. 'Creature.
Therefore, it seems best for all parties involved to bid farewell to the former Wigan player, whether permanently or on loan, this month, and signing Berisha could be their way of doing so.
What Merjim Berisha can bring to Leeds
In addition to the squad depth required to be able to part ways with Gelhardt, the German striker could be an excellent addition to the squad for a number of reasons.
Berisha, 26, is a reasonably experienced striker who has played in the Bundesliga and for Germany internationally, and could act as a great mentor for Joseph, 21, to help him continue his development and fulfill his potential.
It would be a bit of a gamble for Leeds, with the striker having struggled for playing time since his struggles Anterior cruciate ligament injury In November 2023, which kept him out of action for 251 days.
Berisha, which has been described as “Clinical finishing“By Football Chatters analysts, he has previously shown his quality at the highest level in German, before his long injury layoff.
|
22/23 German League |
Mirjim Berisha |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
23 |
|
xG |
8.13 |
|
Objectives |
9 |
|
Conversion rate |
16% |
|
Great opportunities were missed |
5 |
|
Helps |
4 |
As you can see in the table above, the striker caught the eye in the 2022/23 Bundesliga season with his former club Augsburg, scoring 13 direct goals in 23 appearances.
Before that season, in the summer of 2022, it was reported that Jesse Marsh – then Leeds United manager – Try to bring it up To Elland Road to bolster his attacking options at the time, where he scored the gem 14 goals and ten assists In 28 league matches with Red Bull Salzburg in the 2020/21 season under his leadership.
In the end, the American coach was unable to secure a deal for his former star in Austria, but it could be second time lucky for the Whites this month.
Related to
Whereas it would be a gamble, as Berisha did One goal, one pass In 11 Bundesliga appearances this season, signing the German on an initial 18-month loan could be a smart move that allows Fake to wave goodbye to Gelhardt.
