The overlooked issue Leeds need to fix this summer - and the bargain-friendly solution

A season that looked like it promised little but disappointment for Leeds United has turned into one of their best in the 21st century, with The Whites inching closer to Premier League survival with every game, despite problems at both ends of the pitch.

Yet if they can get over the line and finish in the top 17 of the Premier League, Leeds will have a whole new summer of optimism to try and fix those issues, by targeting another striker and goalkeeper.

While Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been a revelation this season both by avoiding major injury and hitting double figures in the Premier League, it remains very possible that this is an outlier, with Leeds themselves suggesting as much by targeting Jorgen Strand Larsen in the January transfer window.

Meanwhile, Lucas Perri has been one of the worst goalkeepers in the Premier League this season and Leeds will almost certainly be looking for his replacement this summer.

However, there is another need for Leeds on the left side of defence, and former Brighton defender Bernardo could be the player to fill that hole.

Bernardo: Will over Wonder

An experienced defender with 150 appearances to his name in the Premier League and Bundesliga, Bernardo wouldn’t be signed to replace Pascal Struijk or Gabriel Gudmundsson in the starting lineup.

However, Leeds are short on left-footed defenders that are so crucial to playing a back five, and Bernardo fits that bill while boasting incredible defensive solidity. Though he’s ostensibly a left-back Bernardo has excelled for Hoffenheim on the left of a back three this season and he boasts one of the lowest expected assists (xA) out of his peers in the division.

His 0.04 xA per 90 minutes (per FotMob) puts him on a par with creative weapons like Tosin Adarabioyo or Jake O’Brien, but Bernardo more than makes up for that out of possession.

Indeed, Hoffenheim’s own feature with the player soon after he arrived at the club in the summer (hilariously titled ‘Will instead of Wonder’) rather unflatteringly described him as “never the most gifted player on the pitch,” but added that “he made up for it by being the most determined”.

Only five Bundesliga defenders have made more tackles than him and he’s in similarly rarified air for interceptions, fouls committed and clearances. Meanwhile he boasts the highest number of duels won, both in the air and on the ground, of any full-back in the division and

Hoffenheim signed Bernardo for free in the summer and is valued at €5 million by Transfermarkt, so while his official price tag isn’t known, he likely wouldn’t break either the bank or eight figures for Leeds.

Turning 31 in May, he’s not an overly long-term solution. But as Hoffenheim’s doubtful fans and communications department have discovered this season, he remains a defensive rock in the here and now, and he perfectly fits the profile of player that Leeds will be looking for to improve their depth with in the summer transfer window.