Leeds United should eye move for Brighton forward - it's not Evan Ferguson | OneFootball

Julio Enciso is in need of regular game time for his development, and Leeds United could be the perfect fit for the Brighton forward.

Leeds United's decision to allow Georginio Rutter to leave for Brighton in the summer without sourcing a replacement playmaker or No.10 profile has left a notable gap in their squad, which is hindering them in some games already.

Daniel Farke's remain among the favourites in the 2024/25 Championship season but they will know how crucial the January window can be in defining their campaign.

The club have plenty of ambition but will need to match that this month, with the Whites aiming to restore the club’s Premier League status after a disappointing end to last season.

The club has recruited smartly in the past, with key players such as Ethan Ampadu, Pascal Struijk, and Willy Gnonto playing pivotal roles this season, while summer signings such as Manor Solomon, Jayden Bogle, and Ao Tanaka have also strengthened the team significantly in crucial areas as well.

That said, they cannot afford to be totally inactive in the market and will know the importance of getting the January transfer window right this time around. It could be defining in shaping the second half of the campaign, even if only one or two additions are made to keep pace with the teams around Leeds in the league table.

However, Farke has lowered expectations lately and said that the club are holding out for a quiet January window following hectic activity in the summer. One area of the team to consider is in attacking midfield and the availability of one particular Brighton player could have caught the clubs' eye this week.

Brenden Aaronson, although more suited to a No.10 role than any other player in the squad, isn’t the technician or line-breaking passer that Leeds need. He relies more on his agility, half-turns, and athleticism than on vision and threading difficult passes through compact defences.

Without Rutter, Leeds lack a player who can unlock stubborn opposition and provide those crucial moments of magic, especially in games where creativity is key to breaking down defences and teams protecting a lead, a la Blackburn Rovers, Millwall, and Burnley this season.

It has been those clashes which have often been the problem for Farke during the last 18 months in the second tier. Rutter offered a unique blend of creativity and flair to Leeds, with his ability to thread intricate passes and break lines; it was a role no one in the current squad quite replicates in terms of their overall skill-set.

Therefore, Leeds should be in the market for an attacking midfielder in January and Julio Enciso's availability, ironically at the club Rutter joined in the summer, could be the answer. It has previously been reported by Football Insider that Leeds are eyeing Evan Ferguson, while Alan Nixon linked Burnley with the forward, with West Ham and Leicester City also providing competition for his signature.

He would be an excellent signing, but a different Brighton player could be a solution for Farke in the form of the Paraguayan instead. The playmaker struggled to make an impact in the early part of the season but started recently to force his way into Fabian Hurzeler's first-team thinking.

However, despite his recent run of form, speculation persists on a possible loan move this January for the 20-year-old, who is contracted to Brighton until 2026. Prior to their trip to Ipswich Town this week, Hurzeler would not rule out a loan switch for either player this month, explaining what is the "best individual development for the player" has to be considered.

Enciso has started in just six of his 15 appearances this season, with a goal and assist in each cup competition to show for it. Brighton have a stacked forward line and the youngster could benefit from regular minutes elsewhere for the remainder of the season, much like with Facundo Buonanotte and Leicester.

This absence of a creative playmaker is felt most when Leeds face teams that compact the middle of the pitch, whether in a mid-block or deeper block. These sides make it difficult for Leeds to find spaces between the lines, and it’s here that the lack of a player with real creativity on the ball becomes glaring.

The system looks well-drilled and outstanding defensively, but a player capable of pulling the strings in the final third would elevate them even further. A signing of this nature in January could be the difference between a strong promotion push and absolutely cementing their place at the top.

He operates best as an attacking midfielder or wide playmaker, thriving in a role where he can link midfield and attack. His ideal position is as a No.10, floating between the lines to exploit spaces or out wide as an inverted winger on the left. Not only is that versatility useful, but he excels in possession, wherever he is deployed, often attracting defenders and opening up space for teammates.

Outside of that, he will drift into the half-spaces and dictate play and has that knack of finding pockets of space where others might struggle, making him a constant threat in between the lines. A No.10 is crucial in breaking down well-organised defensive units. They miss that spark from a player who can pick out difficult passes, especially in a level game state or when chasing an equaliser in the dying embers of a match.

His ability in a moment is something that is invaluable to promotion-chasing sides. He could be the final piece of the puzzle in attack for this Leeds team in January. The benefit of a loan is that it allows Enciso to be assessed as to whether he could be a Premier League option longer-term, all while developing him further for Brighton in the process too.

It could be a win-win for all parties involved, especially with the 20-year-old in desperate need of game time himself at a crucial age. The raw talent and technical talent is all there, he just needs the platform to express himself and to unlock the very best of his attributes in a dominant Leeds side.