Burnley winger Manuel Benson has been linked to Leeds United, and he could be able to address their issue of not scoring enough goals from substitutes.
Leeds United have been linked with Burnley winger Manuel Benson – and the 26-year-old could solve a glaring problem for Daniel Farke.
Despite the lack of incomings, there’s been plenty of transfer speculation in West Yorkshire. The latest player to be linked is Belgian winger Benson.
Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri has claimed (via his personal X account) Benson is viewed as a replacement for Willy Gnonto, who has been heavily linked with a move to West Ham United.
Farke has a plethora of attacking talent at his disposal: Gnonto, Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville, Dan James, Jaidon Anthony, Patrick Bamford and Joel Piroe, just to name a few.
However, the Burnley man could solve a problem that has emerged for the German.
Leeds’ lack of substitute goals
To date, Anthony’s second-half goal during the 3-0 home over Watford back in September is the only goal one of Farke’s substitutes has scored during the 2023/24 season.
Typically, Gnonto and Anthony have been used as Farke’s game-changers. However, they are not having the desired impact. Gnonto has one goal and an assist to his name and Anthony’s strike against Watford is his only contribution to date.
Last season, the 26-year-old scored 12 goals in 33 Championship games, along with three assists. Crucially, five of those goals came as a substitute, as did all of his assists; he had an impressive trait on impacting a game within little over half-an-hour.
Compared to the likes of Gnonto and Anthony, the Belgian winger could be an excellent addition should a deal be concluded.
With Benson unlikely to break immediately into the starting XI, considering the form of Summerville, James and Rutter, Farke could finally start to see his changes in the latter stages of games make a difference.
Where Gnonto and Anthony have failed on 31 occasions combined, Benson succeeded during his last Championship spell.
Manuel Benson could help solve Leeds’ issues on the road
Strength in depth is absolutely essential for sides looking to secure automatic promotion – and Benson provides that.
We all know Leeds’ issues lie away from Elland Road. Six wins, six defeats and two draws have resulted in 20 points, compared to 31 at home.
The majority of the division is acutely aware of the Whites’ threats. Sitting deep and forming stubborn low-blocks has been the norm for Leeds to contend with. Benson could be the creative spark needed, particularly in the latter stages of games, from the bench.
Elsewhere, a right-back has to be at the top of Farke’s wishlist. Ayling’s departure has left the Whites short in that area following the recall of Spence.
West Ham United’s Ben Johnson is reportedly on the club’s radar, with Football Insider claiming the Whites are battling Rangers and Sheffield United for the 23-year-old defender.
Should Johnson and Benson come through the door, it would mark a relatively successful winter window in West Yorkshire; the former replacing the outgoing duo of Ayling and Spence, whilst Benson provides Farke with something his current attacking players have struggled to give him so far.
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