Leeds United's January transfer window priorities are at left-back and centre-forward thanks to Marcelo Bielsa's fondness for versatility

His team has just destroyed West Bromwich Albion 5-0, and the coach cut a relaxed figure when asked about potential recruits.

“If there's a player that clearly improves the squad, obviously that will be good for the future of the club,” he added. “The option to bring a great player to the club sometimes depends on the needs of the teams but sometimes opportunities arise.”

Leeds's squad does look short in two positions, though.

The decision to allow Barry Douglas to join Blackburn Rovers on loan in October has left them without a specialist left-back and it has shown at times.

The other gap has actually been caused by the success of a signing. Rodrigo has been such an unexpectedly good addition in central midfield, it has potentially left the Whites short on cover at centre-forward.

Bielsa's men have made a good start to life back in the Premier League, so there is certainly no need to panic but the most glaring weakness in the side has been defensively. Only West Brom have conceded more than the 33 goals they have shipped.

Bielsa's willingness to trust in the versatility of his players has paid off handsomely with Rodrigo, but exposed them at left-back.

Midfielder Stuart Dallas started the season as the first-choice there but an injury to Kavlin Phillips, plus coronavirus and general acclimatisation for Rodrigo have pressed him into service there. Shortages in the centre- of defence which have often pushed Luke Ayling (successfully) inside have meant on other occasions the Northern Irishman has been needed at right-back.

Ezgjan Alioski, a left winger who wears the number ten on his back, has played left-back nine times this season, including in eight of the last nine matches. At times it has added to Leeds's attacking threat down that side, but other teams have successfully exploited the Achilles heel.

In that respect, Alioski is emblematic of his team's start to the season, but the insurance of a specialist would give hope that the remainder of the campaign can be just as positive, but slightly tighter.

With Robin Koch having undergone knee surgery and fellow centre-back Diego Llorente having had a string of muscle problems since he joined, if the new man could also cover for Liam Cooper, who has already missed six league matches this season, that would be a bonus.

Rodrigo has added real quality to the side in a way few anticipated.

He joined as Spain's No 9 and his ability to play wide was also mentioned when he signed from Valencia for a club record £27m but in a typically Bielsa way, the Argentinian spotted qualities he could use as an attacking midfielder and with Patrick Bamford starting the new campaign brilliantly – he is already into double-figure goals in a division that was supposed to be beyond him – it is instead Pablo Herndanez the Brazilian-born player has replaced.

Now, if Bamford were to get injured or suspended, Rodrigo could still play at centre-forward but it would take something away from the midfield. Tyler Roberts could fill in, as he did in the final minutes against Newcastle United, but it feels like a big drop in quality. Another centre-forward who could allow Rodrigo to keep playing as he is would be a comfort.

Beyond that, there are no major issues. Some are uncomfortable at the mistakes Illan Meslier has made but there have been outstanding saves too from the 20-year-old, and Bielsa seems happy to let him develop. If a new goalkeeper were to come in he would more likely displace deputy Kiko Casilla.

In the main, sporting director Victor Orta can take the luxury of browsing the market to see if there is anything he fancies, rather than panicking that he needs to bring players in.

DONE DEALS – IN: None.

OUT: OUT: Jay-Roy Grot (Osnabruck, undisclosed), Jordan Stevens (Bradford City, loan); Rafa Mujica (Las Palmas, loan); Conor Shaughnessy (Rochdale, loan); Robbie Gotts (Salford City, loan); Ryan Edmondson (Northampton Town, loan).

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