Why Leeds United must make a move for Wes Foderingham in January
According to a report from the Express, Leeds United are considering a January swoop for Rangers goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.
Leeds United currently don’t have a fit senior goalkeeper, with Chelsea loanee Jamaal Blackman returning to his parent club with a knee injury and Bailey Peacock-Farrell also sidelined with a similar injury. That saw manager Marcelo Bielsa throw in 20-year-old rookie Will Huffer in the win against Bristol City last weekend.
And now the Whites are targeting Wes Foderingham, who has lost his place to Allan McGregor this season. The Englishman has played in the Scottish League Cup games, although Steven Gerrard left him out of the team for the Betfred Cup semi-final defeat to Aberdeen.
Wes Foderingham, 27, who was Rangers’ first-choice between the sticks last season, has played just three games so far this term. With Foderingham out of favour at the Ibrox, Leeds United must make a move for him in the New Year.
Leeds signed Jamal Blackman on loan from Chelsea earlier in the summer but he had his loan agreement with the Championship club cancelled. The 24-year-old suffered a broken tibia while in action for Leeds’ U23s and has returned to his parent club, Chelsea.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell has been the undisputed first-choice at Elland Road but he has been sidelined with an injury, leaving Bielsa’s options light in the goalkeeping department. Due to an untimely injury to Peacock-Farrell, Bielsa was forced to use young reserve team keeper Will Huffer in the first-team.
Bielsa surely cannot trust the inexperienced Will Huffer for an entire season, making the addition of a new gloveman very important for the Whites when the winter transfer window opens. And that’s where Wes Foderingham comes into the picture.
Foderingham has been a regular for Rangers since joining from Swindon Town back in 2015. However, after Allan McGregor’s return to Ibrox, Foderingham has spent the season on the Rangers bench. And given McGregor’s form, Foderingham might not get many opportunities.
So a move to Leeds would be perfect for Foderingham in January. He could come in at Elland Road and compete for a place in the starting XI with Peacock-Farrell, who has been error-prone.
Foderingham’s experience and quality can be a huge boost for Leeds’ surge for promotion. He is sensible with his decision-making and is a reliable presence between the sticks. The 27-year-old is an experienced shot-stopper, one who has played under intense pressure, having spent much of his Ibrox spell as first-choice.
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That said, Leeds should definitely secure Foderingham’s services in January to enrich their chances of securing promotion to the top-flight.