With the Championship fast approaching its final game, Leeds United boss Neil Redfearn must surely have his eyes on a few summer recruits, especially in the midfield area.
With the likely departure of kid sensation Alex Mowatt expected over the summer, it is vitally important that the Elland Road club dip into the pool of midfielders that will be on offer over the summer.
I've identified FIVE possible midfielders for Redfearn’s side that would enhance the squad from what they have already. I have selected a mixture of both youth and experience because having the correct balance in a team is always important as the youngsters learn off the players who have been around that little bit longer and that can always benefit the team greatly.
PRESS NEXT PAGE BELOW TO SEE FIVE MIDFIELDERS
Nathaniel Chalobah
The first midfielder Leeds United should sign is Nathaniel Chalobah on loan from Chelsea. The 20-year- old is currently out on loan at Championship rivals Reading and is progressing into a very good player.
He almost mimics the role that Yaya Toure plays at Manchester City and for that reason, I believe he would be an excellent loan capture for Leeds. Chalobah is a box to box midfielder who can provide a range of passing, however, his finishing isn’t up to scratch yet but then again, not every play making midfielder scores goals for their team.
Leeds could be able to take Chalobah off Chelsea for the season because I do not think he will make it into next season's squad and Jose Mourinho is not shy when sending his younger players out on loan.
Danny Drinkwater
Another central midfielder that Leeds should attempt to sign is Danny Drinkwater from Leicester City. The 25-year-old Englishman hasn’t shined in the Premier League this year, despite playing 18 games for the Foxes.
For that reason, why shouldn’t Leeds attempt to sign him? He has a brilliant strike on him which means he can chip in with goals should Alex Mowatt leave the club and he can also pick a pass out of nowhere.
Drinkwater can play in both the defensive and attacking position in midfield so the versatility that he would offer to the team would be something that Leeds would benefit from massively.
Jamie O'Hara
The final central midfielder that I believe would be a great addition to the Leeds United team is Jamie O’Hara. As previously discussed in another article ‘Five players Leeds United must sign this summer’, I believe Jamie O’Hara would be a midfielder that would turn out to be invaluable.
Having failed to make the impact he would have liked at Blackpool, with the seaside club currently on their way out of the second tier of English football, O’Hara would be keen to impress at a new club.
When he was at Wolverhampton Wanderers, O’Hara was a very good midfielder and even though he is not as young now, he is still a midfielder that Leeds would see the benefits from.
Having come through the Arsenal Academy, the 28-year-old has a left foot that can produce magic from free kicks and from and position on the pitch. For that reason alone, I believe that Leeds should try and make O’Hara a midfielder at the club.
Serge Gnabry
Another midfielder that I believe would be suitable for Neil Redfearn’s side is Serge Gnabry.
Similar to Jamie O’Hara, I identified Gnabry as a player that Leeds must sign if they are to go forward in the Championship. The 20-year-old German wide man has just recovered from an injury that has kept him out of the Arsenal team this year.
However, the north London club very rarely use the right winger in the Premier League so for that reason, I believe that Leeds might be able to sign him on a season long loan. I am sure that Arsene Wenger would want Gnabry to be playing regular football and a loan to Leeds might benefit them both.
With the vast amount of talent that Arsenal have in the wide areas with people like Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott, Gnabry will very rarely get a game over the next few seasons and if he does it will be in the FA Cup or League Cup.
Chris Eagles
Another midfielder, Leeds United should try and sign is Chris Eagles. Even though the former Manchester United player has been a free transfer for most of the season, many Championship clubs failed to pick him up.
However, Charlton Athletic stepped in and offered him a club which means that Leeds would now have to pay a fee for the winger that can also play centrally.
Similar to O’Hara, Eagles has a very good free kick and has the crossing ability that not many people can replicate. For those two reasons alone, I believe that Chris Eagles would be an addition to the side that the fans would love.
Having played at many levels, Eagles has a lot of experience even though he is only 29. He has always been somebody who has impressed, and this is why I believe that Leeds United should make every effort to sign him from Charlton.