Leeds United have been excellent in recent weeks, since Daniel Farke made the switch to a back-three formation. The 3-5-2 has been their most common system in the last nine games, after switching to it at half-time against Manchester City at the end of September.
The idea has been to make Leeds tougher to break down, with the extra centre-back plus three central midfielders on the pitch.
They also look to be direct and get crosses into the box via the wingbacks. It could certainly be considered a success so far for the Whites
However, defensive depth is needed, so they are looking at recruiting a new centre-back this winter.
Leeds leading race to sign new centre-back
There was activity for Leeds in the summer in defence. They signed Jaka Bijol from Udinese, and he has impressed during his time at the club so far, cementing a place in Farke’s back three alongside Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon.
However, they are now chasing the signature of another centre-back. According to TEAMTalk, the Whites are considered the ‘frontrunners’ to sign Union Berlin defender Danilho Doekhi.
The 27-year-old, who is out of contract this summer, could well leave the Bundesliga, with Union ‘open to his sale’ in the January window.
However, bringing Doekhi to West Yorkshire will not be as easy as that. He is also a target for Union’s top-flight rivals Wolfsburg, who are ‘actively exploring’ a potential deal.
Yet, Leeds do have the upper hand, it seems, with the report suggesting he is ‘very keen’ on moving to the Premier League. As for a fee, this could cost Leeds as much as £11.3m.
Why Doekhi could be Leeds’ new Jansson
Adding a six foot three inch tall centre-back to Leeds’ squad would certainly increase their potency at the back. Doekhi has impressed in the Bundesliga, previously described by Union managing director Horst Heldt as “one of the best” defenders in the German top flight.
This season, he’s been a key player at the back for the club, who play in the country’s capital city. The Dutchman has played all 16 times in the top flight, as well as three times in the DFB Pokal, playing every minute of these 19 matches and helping to keep five clean sheets.
One of the biggest benefits to Doekhi’s game is the threat he offers from set pieces. He’s bagged six times this season and offers a real threat in the box, hailed as a “goal-scoring menace” by Bundesliga reporter Archie Rhind-Tutt.
For a side with 14 set-piece goals this season, that is only going to make the Whites more of a threat.
Looking at the former Dutch under-21 international’s underlying stats, you can see how much of a talented defender he is, too. For example, he’s averaging 2.7 ball recoveries and wins 4.9 aerial duels per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga.
| Doekhi 25/26 Bundesliga stats | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stat | Per 90 | Season total |
| Long passes completed | 1.8 | 28 |
| Aerial duels won | 4.9 | 78 |
| Ground duels won | 2.5 | 40 |
| Interceptions | 1.3 | 20 |
| Ball recoveries | 2.7 | 43 |
| Stats from Squawka | ||
If Leeds were to get this transfer over the line, it might be reminiscent of the deal to bring Pontus Jansson to Elland Road back in the 2016/17 campaign.
Praised for his “passion and determination to wear this badge” by ex-Leeds star Michael Bridges, he became something of a cult hero in West Yorkshire.
In total, the Swedish international, who still plays now for Malmo, made 120 appearances in that famous White shirt, chipping in with nine goals and four assists in that time.
Unfortunately, he never could drag them to the Premier League, but he put in some memorable performances under Marcelo Bielsa.
There are certainly similarities to the deal. Both players are big centre-backs, with Jansson standing at six foot four inches, also offering set piece threat.
Doekhi would love to be the second coming of the Swedish legend, and the similarities are clear to see.
A fee of just £11.3m is nothing in today’s market, and Doekhi would certainly strengthen at the back and add an extra dimension from corners, free kicks and long throw-ins.
If he can have any impact close to the one Jansson had at Elland Road, he’d be a roaring success.
