Nigel Martyn slams Leeds transfer record, with only Raphinha up to scratch amid relegation scrap

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Nigel Martyn has slammed the club’s recruitment amid their fight to stay in the Premier League this season.

The Whites have suffered a downturn in form this season following last season’s impressive showing. However, the reality of their situation is coming to a boil as the campaign reaches its end.

Marcelo Bielsa got the sack as manager in February and Jesse Marsch inspired something of a turnaround in form. However, three defeats in a row after three wins in five have put the pressure back on.

Indeed, Leeds now sit 18th in the Premier League having played a game more than both Burnley and Everton above them.

Injuries have not helped this season, but according to former Whites stopper Martyn, the recruitment has not been good enough to inspire real Leeds progress.

“Raphinha has been the one really good signing,” Martyn told BBC West Yorkshire Sport.

“The others you would say are players that are good enough to be in the squad but do they make your team better?

“That is something probably I would agree with. They are probably of the same level, but they are not making us better than what we already were.”

Brazil winger Raphinha did not appear to be the marquee arrival at Elland Road when he signed from Rennes in October 2020. However, he has become the star man in the team and remains Leeds’ top scorer this season.

Meanwhile, Rodrigo, Diego Llorente and Daniel James are among some of the other signings worked on by Leeds director of football Victor Orta and owner Andrea Radrizzani.

Elsewhere, there has been a key focus on signing younger talents at Elland Road.

The likes of Joe Gelhardt and Crysencio Summerville are showing promising signs for the future of the club.

Discipline also major Leeds issue

While Martyn has criticised the recruitment at Leeds, player discipline is factoring into the worries around the club.

Indeed, Luke Ayling received a red card at Arsenal and has caused a major issue for Marsch to look at.

Marsch also now has one less attacking option for the remainder of the season. James saw red for a challenge on Mateo Kovacic in Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea.

With two games left against Brighton and Brentford, Leeds must somehow recover and regroup.

However, they have only scored one goal in four games and conceded nine in that time.