Leeds United must revisit move for 26-year-old creative star in January | OneFootball

FLW outline the reasons why Ilan Kebbal is the perfect solution to Leeds United's attacking midfield question.

Leeds United should be in the market for an attacking midfielder in January, and Ilan Kebbal of Paris FC is a player that they should be looking to revive a deal for.

During the summer, according to Foot Mercato, both Leeds and Burnley were said to be keeping tabs on Kebbal, with the clubs having been in touch with representatives of the attacking midfielder as they considered a potential deal. A move never materialised past the enquiry stage, however.

Leeds' decision to sell Georginio Rutter in the summer of 2024 has left them with a lack of a creative No.10, which may be an issue in some games this season. That's despite a solid start to the campaign currently, and creative players such as Willy Gnonto and new signing Largie Ramazani impressing on the wings.

What Leeds are currently missing as a profile in their squad is a central attacking player who can unlock defences with intricate play and vision. Rutter, even though he often frustrated with his inconsistency and his ability to overplay in tight spaces, had a knack for holding up the ball and linking play, offering more variety to Leeds' forward movements.

His individual brilliance often unlocked doors for Leeds, but that match-winning ability from a central player is not as prevalent in the 2024/25 squad. Under Daniel Farke, 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.

Leeds should revive a deal for Ilan Kebbal

There's no doubt that Rutter was one of Leeds' best players and one of the Championship's best creators, and that they would be worse off without him after failing to recruit an established specialist in the playmaker role. Leeds wanted to build around him and the club even entered talks to plead with Rutter to remain, but it was always likely to be the case that he would snub a contract offer with Leeds and sign for Brighton.

They eyed big-money deals with £13 million bids for the likes of Gus Hamer, and SC Freiburg's Roland Sallai also looked at after reportedly pushing hard to land the Hungarian in a £10 million deadline day deal, But Leeds came up short in securing a similar profile of attacking midfielder who could be a difference-maker.

Brenden Aaronson is also in the mix as a returning player from loan, giving Leeds multiple options in attack again this year, but he lacks the ability to consistently thread a killer pass. Leeds need an extra forward who can play centrally. Aaronson has taken the lion's share of minutes in that central position so far in the Championship, but the USMNT international is more of a ball-carrier or dribbler.

Kebbal is a 26-year-old playmaker in the prime of his career, and has spent the majority of it so far outside the top division, initially featuring for the likes of Bordeaux B and Cote Bleue before moving to Stade de Reims, where he played for the B time upon arrival.

He eventually began his professional career with Reims, making his debut in 2021 after loan spells at lower-tier clubs such as Lyon-Duchère and USL Dunkerque, where he impressed. Kebbal's breakout came in Ligue 1 during the 2021/22 season, with his dribbling and creativity catching the eye in flashes.

He then spent time on loan with Paris FC and eventually transferred permanently, continuing to develop his game there ever since. Kebbal 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 right.

That sort of left-footed outlet is something Leeds are currently missing, with the majority of their attacking line made up of right-footed wingers and attacking midfielders. Not only is that vital, but he excels in possession, offering a creative spark through his close control and dribbling, often attracting defenders and opening up space for teammates.

Kebbal’s vision and ability to pick out key passes make him a valuable asset in chance creation, while his agility allows him to weave through opposition defences. His best attributes are his ball control, dribbling, and playmaking, which are crucial in breaking down well-organised defensive units. He can also take set-pieces, adding another dimension for Leeds following Ilia Gruev's injury, leaving them with no specialist left-footer for corners and free-kicks.

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. His vision and ability to thread passes into dangerous areas make him an ideal creative outlet, especially for teams looking to break down deep-lying defences in a low-block, which Leeds are regularly facing at the moment.

He possesses a calmness on the ball that allows him to operate effectively under pressure, which has been Leeds' most consistent Achilles' heel for two seasons under Farke in forward areas when the opposition has a lead to protect, such as Millwall and Burnley this season already.

Ilan Kebbal has developed his game further in 2024

Kebbal would be a seamless fit in Leeds' system under Daniel Farke, offering the creativity and technical quality that could elevate the team’s attacking play. Farke relies on players who can control the tempo and orchestrate moves in the final third.

Kebbal’s ability to operate as the conductor of attacks aligns perfectly with this philosophy. His vision and close control would allow him to link up effectively with dynamic wingers like Ramazani and Gnonto, two players who thrive off quick, incisive interplay and a player who can pick them out with passes through the lines to stretch defences with their pace.

His profile is vital, so it is somewhat of a mystery why a deal never went further in the summer. One explanation is perhaps that Kebbal was seen as a player who could improve Leeds' team, but not enough to the point where he could also be a long-term attacking piece in the Premier League if they are promoted this season.

Leeds' squad-building is geared towards having players capable of making the step up and transitioning to top-flight football. However, Kebbal's start to 2024/25 with Paris FC has put any doubts to rest in that respect, with Kebbal excelling in a number of important areas currently.

According to FotMob, Kebbal has four goals and an assist in 13 games this season for the Ligue 2 side, but that does not tell the whole story. He is in the 100th percentile for touches of the ball compared to other attacking midfielders in the league, as well as the 95th percentile for chances created.

The 100th percentile for shots taken, successful passes, and accurate long balls highlight his ability as a player to be something different for Leeds. He can break lines in a multitude of different ways with different pass-types in his locker. Out of possession, his 91 recoveries place him in the 100th percentile as well, meaning Leeds would not lose out in that aspect if Kebbal were to replace Aaronson.

Of course, some of the aforementioned figures are heavily dependent on team style, but Leeds are as dominant of a team as anyone in the second tier, so Kebbal's play-style would translate well while also providing Leeds with the right profile to help them gain promotion to the Premier League, as he has the ability to unlock tight defences and provide the spark needed to turn draws into wins, and that is something that is invaluable to promotion-chasing sides.

Farke can find solutions tactically against stubborn defences, but the easy answer may just be a profile with more guile and craft than Aaronson. Positioned as a No.10 or drifting into half-spaces from the right, Kebbal could glue Leeds’ attacks together, acting as the creative hub that connects midfield to attack. His dribbling and passing range would offer the team a new dimension, allowing him to unlock the opposition's deep block or exploit gaps left by aggressive pressing.

He can operate as a right-sided winger or playmaker, or in the middle with runners around him, and his left-footed set-pieces would also provide added value. Leeds may want to revisit a potential move for Kebbal in January because he brings both flair and tactical intelligence, qualities that could sharpen their attacking edge as they push for promotion, whilst also getting more out of Gnonto, Ramazani, Dan James, and the like.

Leeds could have a devastating forward line for the level once again with one extra attacking piece, and all the creativity and different profiles available to find solutions which are capable of making a serious assault on the top of the Championship to push for the title.