The most recent January transfer window was an extremely
frustrating experience for Leeds fans, as rumours circulated that GFH were
unable to pay the wages of existing players, let alone new recruits. Since its
closure, however, takeover negotiations have seemingly progressed (albeit at an
alarmingly slow rate) and it is clear that new money has been pumped into the
club to fund loan signings. Whether this new investment is coming from
owner-to-be Cellino is yet to be confirmed, but the club has evidently received
significant new financial impetus. The arrivals of Butland and Wickham, two
young home-grown talents with Premier League credentials and international
ambitions, are a refreshing statement of intent from McDermott and whoever is
currently bankrolling the club. These moves provide stark contrast to the
earlier signings of Kebe and Stewart, however, who are yet to find their feet
at Elland Road. This week at @LUFC_Calypso, we take a look at our new loan
signings since January and analyse the benefits they could bring to the
dressing room.
Jack Butland is unquestionably a very exciting talent with a
bright future ahead of him, and LUFC’s ability to capture his signature
certainly raises eyebrows over who is funding his Premier League wages. Butland
has already put in credible performances at Middlesbrough and QPR, and he will
undoubtedly be a positive defensive influence as we reach the business end of
the season. Our defence is notoriously leaky, so his command of the box and
organisation should tighten us up at the back. Butland’s arrival is especially
impressive considering the raft of promotion chasers that would have wanted
him, and credit must be given to McDermott for persuading him to join up with
us.Similarly, Poyet announced that Wickham was attracting attention from at least 5 teams, so his decision to pull on the white shirt for the rest of the campaign is very pleasing, all the more so given the adoration he was receiving at Hillsborough. Finding the net 8 times in 11 games, Wickham showed his potential in spades
during his second spell at Wednesday, and his link up play with fan favourite Ross McCormack on his debut at Loftus Rd was one of the more encouraging things to come from the stalemate. Wickham is on a reported £25,000 per week at Sunderland, a wage
that trumps any of those currently on the Leeds United books, and so these loan
signings, while exciting, have also sparked a serious concern: if Cellino is
refused approval by the football league, could we be faced with yet another
financial meltdown? A calculated financial risk though it may be, these signings could prove invaluable in our pursuit of the playoffs.
While Butland and Wickham’s debuts have filled Leeds fans
with hope and excitement, Kebe’s continued selection after his loan move in
January is causing consternation among the Leeds twitter family. Under
McDermott at Reading, Kebe’s blistering pace and pinpoint crossing were pivotal
in their late surge up the table towards promotion but, since his arrival, he
has looked more like a man who can’t remember where he’s parked the car than an
incisive, match-winning speedster. He has been indecisive, lacklustre in
possession and lazy when tracking back. As fans, we must accept that he needed
time to regain match fitness after bench-warming at Palace, but he has had more
than enough game time to find his feet. Alarmingly, McDermott’s insistence on
selecting him while Poleon and Ariyibi remain untested suggests an
unprofessional display of loyalty and, while McDermott brought in the wingers
we so desperately needed, he must be blamed for his inability to get them
playing how we need them to. Wickham compliments a wing-based style of play
perfectly, but Kebe simply is not providing the required level of service.
With talk of another incoming loan, we remain optimistic
that we will bring someone in who can generate winning momentum going forward.
What do you think of Wickham and Butland? Would you drop Kebe? As always, let
us know your thoughts at @LUFC_Calypso!
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