Where does Jordan Botaka fit in?

Editor-in-Chief Ryan Ingham looks at new signing Jordan Botaka and how he can fit into a revolutionised Leeds United squad. 





New signing Jordan Botaka could well be set to make his Lufc debut today, but where does he fit into the squad? 

Predominantly a winger, the talented DR Congo international looks to be a talented signing and could become a cult hero at Lufc, if he can live up to the weight of expectation. We've seen his skills on YouTube, but have all been stung before when it comes to videos of players signing for the club. 

Botaka excelled at Excelsior as a skilful winger, with bags of pace and the confidence to take on players with ease. His strength and determination could be a great addition to a club that is crammed full of youth and confidence to push on and challenge for a playoff spot this season. 

Now to where he can play. Unless we see Byram moved back to his more favourable position of right back, Botaka is destined to the bench for the start of his Lufc career. To allow Byram to return to his defensive duties would mean current inform right back Gaetano Berardi be dropped, something that would seem a little too harsh on the Swiss defender. 

Being an impact substitute isn't the worst of starts for the young Belgian, with former Lufc cult hero Max Gradel starting his Leeds career in the same situation and going on to be one of the clubs key players. 

Botaka has already been named as the replacement we have been waiting for since Gradel left. I actually think Botaka could have more to his game than the former Lufc player, with his ability to play on either flank along with his height, pace and skill, he could become a valued player amongst a team of young talent. 

Allowing Botaka to come off the bench would give Leeds a better option than Souleymane Doukara, who needs to develop further if he is allowed to carry on his duties as a winger for the club. Botaka's pace and trickery could be perfect to challenge defenders who are starting to tire out during a match and could be key in picking up late goals to win matches. 

The perfect position for Botaka in my opinion is at left wing. This would allow the winger to come inside and create space for the likes of Wood and Antenucci to cause havoc in the box. Another benefit of giving Botaka the left wing role would be to move Stuart Dallas across to the right, which is by far his best position. 

Botaka could be a fantastic signing for Lufc, if given time to settle in to the English game and not follow the likes of Adryan in having the whole clubs expectation dropped on his shoulders as 'the new saviour'.