Leeds United eyeing Getafe powerhouse John Patrick | OneFootball

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Football FanCast

·8 October 2021

Leeds United eyeing Getafe powerhouse John Patrick

Article image:Leeds United eyeing Getafe powerhouse John Patrick

Leeds United could answer Marcelo Bielsa’s prayers by signing Getafe’s midfield powerhouse John Patrick in the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

Last season saw Patrick become the youngest-ever player to play for Getafe in their history when he made his debut against Levante aged only 17 years and 42 days.


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It’s no surprise then that recent reports from TEAMtalk claim that the Whites, along with Premier League rivals Manchester United are interested in signing the teenager.

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Article image:Leeds United eyeing Getafe powerhouse John Patrick

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The report adds that Patrick has pledged his international future to the Republic of Ireland despite being able to represent Spain and Cameroon.

Solving Leeds’ midfield problem

Make no mistake about it, the big problem facing Bielsa at Leeds at the moment is the worrying lack of depth in central midfield.

Reports over the course of the summer transfer window linked them with moves for the likes of Nahitan Nandez and Lewis O’Brien, but neither deal failed to materialise before the deadline.

That was of course in the midst of Andrea Radrizzani strangely responding to a fan’s question about a new midfield signing, by tweeting Adam Forshaw’s name.

For a player who had been injured for well over a year, and hadn’t played a single minute of Premier League football, it was simply unnecessary added pressure, and Leeds’ faith in the ace back-fired earlier this season when he suffered a setback.

The decision not to move for a new midfielder looks even more foolish by the day, but a January move for Patrick would go a long way to solving that problem for Bielsa and Leeds.

In the 6 foot 4 teenager, they could find the kind of player who looks perfectly suited for the rigours of the Premier League.

LaLiga TV pundit Andrea Orlandi said: “No disrespect to Getafe, he will play for bigger clubs. Last summer he was heavily linked with Atletico Madrid. He has everything a modern midfielder needs. He has enough pace to go with the physicality to be up and down and play the kind of game played in the UK. He’s got qualities, he’s got a great strike, and has scored some great goals — top corner finishes. He’s got confidence, he’s got the composure, he’s mature enough to make a big step.

“But he’s got that Uruguayan blood that makes him so competitive. It would be, if it happens, a very good signing. He’s a player I rate really really high. I think he is ready for the next step. He’s a very complete midfielder, very aggressive, but in a good way. He’s got aggression but also the quality when he has to play the ball.”

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