Why Leeds United should make a January swoop for Ronan Curtis
According to a report from Leeds Live, Leeds United are one of the hosts of English clubs interested in Portsmouth forward Ronan Curtis.
The 22-year-old winger has been impressive for Pompey in his first season in the Football League after signing from Derry earlier this summer. Ronan Curtis has scored six goals and grabbed five assists in 14 league games and has been called up to Martin O’Neill’s senior Republic of Ireland squad.
With young Curtis turning heads of late in the Football League, Leeds United should prioritize signing him in January.
Leeds United have started the Championship season in a blistering manner under new manager Marcelo Bielsa. Doing so, the Whites laid down an early marker in the league and remain on course for promotion. But Leeds have been struggling lately and are finding it difficult to churn out results.
In the last five fixtures, Leeds have won just twice which has seen their momentum wither away, although they are second in the table. But on the whole, Bielsa’s side has looked flat at times going forward and with the January transfer window approaching, the Argentine tactician should consider bolstering his options for the second half of the season.
And a move for highly-rated Ronan Curtis would surely make sense in January. The 22-year-old spent six years playing in Ireland before moving to Portsmouth in the summer. Since his switch to England, he has caught the eye, having quickly established himself as the League One’s best attacking players.
Primarily a winger, Curtis has an eye for a goal and can play anywhere across a front three. He has the explosive pace to burn, is a fantastic dribbler, agile and good in the air as well. The Republic of Ireland U-21 international in extremely versatile and also excels at his work-rate off the ball.
Leeds boasts plenty of options from out wide as Bielsa can call upon Gjanni Alioski, Pablo Hernandez, Jack Harrison and Stuart Dallas. Adding a winger with top-class attributes would do no harm to the Whites and only boost the club’s hopes for promotion.
And the arrival of Curtis would introduce more competition, quality and versatility in their attacking third. The young forward has been utilised in multiple roles, and the flexibility he brings to the game would hand Bielsa more suppleness while implying his strategy.
Read more: Why Leeds signing Bielsa’s former protege would surely be a step in the right direction
Given the level of interest in the 22-year-old and how important he is becoming to Portsmouth, it could be difficult for Leeds to get a deal over the line. Yet, Bielsa should go all out to land Curtis in the New Year.