Expert: Leeds United will ‘spend big’ and sign nine senior players
Leeds United may need to sign nine players this summer to avoid a repeat of the relegation-threatened 2021-22 season.
That’s according to former Whites stopper Paddy Kenny, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the club’s summer plans.
Leeds survived on the final day of the Premier League season (22 May), beating Brentford 2-1.
However, several Leeds stars have been linked with moves away.
Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips have been linked with a host of clubs and now Newcastle want to sing Jack Harrison, according to The Telegraph (23 May).
If these players leave, Kenny claims his former side will need to sign nine players to replace them and beef out the squad.
“They need to beef out that squad, it so nearly cost them this season,” Kenny told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“We were hearing that money was there to spend in January but Bielsa didn’t want to do that.
“He thought he had the players or that the younger players could come in and do a job.
“That cost him his job and it nearly cost Leeds relegation. They need five or six players as a minimum, the money to spend big is there.
“Then you look at the players who have been linked with moves, Raphinha, Phillips and now Harrison.
“They will need to be replaced as well so that nine players who might have to come in.”
Phillips, Patrick Bamford and Liam Cooper all suffered long-term injuries last season.
Youngsters like Joe Gelhardt had to step up to the first team.
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