Exclusive:Jermaine Beckford maps out Leeds United's transfer priorities as Liverpool's Harvey Elliott cited as example
Jermaine Beckford maps out Leeds United's transfer priorities as Liverpool's Harvey Elliott cited as example
Leeds United need a playmaker in the mould of Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, according to Whites icon Jermaine Beckford.
Daniel Farke’s men bucked a trend term, staving off relegation as a newly-promoted club and securing another season of Premier League football.
However, with the club determined to become an established club in England’s top flight, they cannot afford to rest on their laurels.
The squad will again need strengthening in the summer transfer window and some key areas for improvement have been mapped out by Beckford, who represented Leeds between 2006 and 2010.
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Leeds United urged to sign playmaker
He told The Yorkshire Post: “[We need] a creative player, somebody that plays in the pockets in the number 10 role, like a Harvey Elliott-type.
“I think Harvey Elliott's had a really difficult season, obviously, with the loan spell at Aston Villa not working out, which is disappointing for him on a personal level.
“But that type of player, who's happy to turn with the ball, who's neat and tidy, keeping it in the holes, creative, tries to find runners in behind [is needed]. But also a player that can get a goal or two as well.”
Need for a new goalkeeper
Beckford also wants to see Leeds get a new goalkeeper on board after a difficult maiden campaign for £15.6m acquisition Lucas Perri.
Karl Darlow dislodged the Brazilian and performed admirably, but is out of contract and reportedly attracting interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Beckford said: “We need a goalkeeper. Illan Meslier’s contract is up, Karl Darlow's contract is up. I'd like to see Karl sign another year or two. We need a goalkeeper, [and] another number nine to push Dominic [Calvert-Lewin], to push Lukas [Nmecha], keep that competition nice and high.
“We could go through every single position and have an argument as to why we could strengthen in those areas. The goals that we've conceded, I think we may have conceded one or two sloppy ones, which are down to individual errors.
“Sometimes, these things happen. But to keep on improving, to improve next season and get higher [in the table], we do need a higher quality of player in the squad. That could be any position.”