This week, Leeds United executive director Robbie Evans was interviewed by media outlets, including The Athletic, at the club's training ground.

He discussed various topics, including the summer transfer window, the team's squad cost ratio (SCR) situation, deadline day operations, missed transfer targets, and the future of head coach Daniel Farke.

Below are some of his responses from Thursday's interview.

How successful has this transfer window been?

Last year we said, "Good transfer window, but poor deadline day." I would say that this summer we've had both a good transfer window and a good deadline day.

Our main task was to complete some of our key targets early, including a left-sided centre-back, an inverted right winger, and a goalkeeper. All of these were completed early. After securing our first-choice targets for these three positions, we were then able to continue strengthening other areas to make the team better and stronger.

We're quite pleased with this transfer window. However, I'm slightly concerned that fans might be too satisfied and optimistic now, because I think the situation when the transfer window closed last summer wasn't as bad as some people believed. The real test of this summer will only be evident a year from now.

We're very happy right now, and I'm very proud of the hard work the team put in throughout the summer. Sports Director Adam Underwood and Daniel worked together very well every day, and they did an excellent job.

Have all positions been strengthened, beyond the main targets?

We've filled all the key positions. There's always discussion about how much depth a squad really needs. I think the biggest concern externally right now might be a fourth full-back or a third striker.

Regarding these issues, continued collaboration with Daniel is essential. We ultimately strengthened the positions we felt genuinely needed reinforcing, while also considering squad fit, player personality, and long-term financial commitment.

How close were you to signing a third striker?

This summer, we had no intention of signing a striker who could compete with or even replace Dominic Calvert-Lewin. This wasn't the summer to bring in a "number one striker."

We only needed an additional striker, and that type of role is actually very difficult to find. Because you need to find someone who meets several criteria: the right personality, a good fit for the team, the right price, and willingness to accept a backup role.

If a player joins expecting to be a regular starter but ultimately isn't, they can become a problem in the dressing room.

The number of players who can genuinely perform in the Premier League, are willing to compete for a place or accept being backup, and also fit our long-term financial plan is very small.

Even some of the names circulating wouldn't be willing to accept such a role. We won't sign someone just for the sake of it and then make them unhappy on day one.

So whether it's a left-back, an additional winger, or a striker, these positions are difficult to manage, which is why we always keep recruitment possibilities for these roles open. Ultimately, we believe the current squad has good solutions.

It was initially expected that more investment would go into the attacking line, so why was the defence strengthened instead?

At the start of summer, we did expect to invest more heavily in the attack. At that time, we also hoped Pascal Struijk would stay, but he ultimately wanted to leave, which is another story.

At the same time, we also realized that signing James Trafford would be very difficult. If we could have signed him, our entire summer transfer budget allocation would naturally have changed.

On the left wing, we also missed out on several targets, and the situation with Julian Brandt has been widely reported. Ultimately, it comes down to which players are available on the market and who genuinely suits us.

By the end of the summer, the list of winger targets that had been agreed upon and approved by Daniel and the sports department was very limited. We signed our first-choice right winger, Harry Wilson, early on, and then brought in a very promising left winger, Jean-Matteo Bahoya.

The most likely scenario was always to sign two wingers. We knew we could bring in another striker, but given the difficulties mentioned above, completing three deals simultaneously wasn't realistic.

Ultimately, we signed two wingers, replaced Struijk with Tarik Muharemovic, brought in Trafford, and then made further reinforcements around these players.

What conditions would trigger Bahoya's permanent transfer?

I won't disclose the specific trigger conditions.

But for us, the key is that we view him as a player who can perform for Leeds United in the Premier League for a long time. Daniel's objective is to coach him daily to the standard of a long-term squad member, give him opportunities, and help him develop.

If everything goes well, he'll become a player we hope to keep at the club long-term, whether that eventually triggers a mandatory buy option or we choose to exercise our option to buy.

What's the situation with Ball's buy option?

His contract doesn't include a mandatory buy option, but the principle is the same.

If you can find a player you believe is good enough for the Premier League and their actual performance exceeds what their price suggests, then you want to keep them at the club.

How much did Rodon's injury contribute to signing Ball?

We've discussed the left-back position throughout the off-season, but Joe's absence for two months certainly influenced our decision.

Because one solution for that position was James Justin stepping into that responsibility. So it wasn't the only factor, but it did have an impact. I'd say that after that point, our priorities for different targets shifted slightly.

Last year you described Calvert-Lewin as a £20 million investment; how would you describe Harry Wilson joining on a free transfer?

I don't want to discuss specific financial equivalencies, because even saying that last year was a bit of an overstatement.

But in terms of player quality, I do think that despite Harry being close to 30, he's still a player worth millions of pounds.

We finished below Fulham last season, and now we've signed their Player of the Year for free. It's difficult to say that's not a great deal, especially given our strong emphasis on set-pieces and the need for a left-footed player on the right wing.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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