Leeds United should not be allowing players like Mateusz Klich to depart if they are not intent on upgrading them this month, according to Conor McGilligan.

What's the latest?

Wednesday night's game at Elland Road marked Klich's final appearance in a Leeds shirt with a pending offer coming from the MLS for the 32-year-old.

And McGilligan, speaking on the One Leeds Fan Channel, has welcomed the departure of players like Klich but has insisted he wants to see any departures upgraded with new and better signings across this month's market.

This comes as the presenter has heard rumblings from Jesse Marsch that he is content with the options he currently has at Elland Road with the likes of Adam Forshaw:

"We have enough quality in the team, but his personality, his courage, his bravado, that part will be tough to replace," Marsch said on Wednesday night when asked how they'll replace the Polish ace.

And having heard the American's comments, McGilligan hit out as he feels the Whites could be set to potentially even weaken their squad this month if they are not to look at bringing in upgrades:

(14:40) "There's no point in evolving in that position just getting rid of someone because you're not going to get better in that position, are you? You're just going to become lighter. And what, are we now relying on Adam Forshaw who was injured again yesterday [Wednesday]? Is that all we're doing and it's just a joke.

"So I'm hoping the rumblings that are coming out of the club aren't true. But you know, Jesse Marsch essentially saying after the game that he feels like he has sufficient backup, but he's a puppet isn't he for Orta and Radrizzani who probably know that a good midfielder, an evolution of Mateusz Klich, is going to cost £15m/£20m. So they're not going to do that."

A big window ahead

This January window is feeling incredibly similar to that of last year when the Whites found themselves in the relegation battle but did not make any moves to upgrade their side.

Leeds have actually already signed someone this month in Maximilian Wober from RB Salzburg but allowing Klich to potentially depart without lining up an upgrade does feel like a step back for the Yorkshire side.

Klich has been a big part of Leeds' recent history having made 195 appearances since making the move to Elland Road back in 2017 from FC Twente in Holland.

And he still has been a regular feature in the Leeds side this season with 14 appearances under Marsch. Albeit they have all come from the bench, however, he has proven a dependable option with injuries not halting his season, unlike Forshaw.

Now Klich is expected to depart for the States, it leaves Marsch with Forshaw as one of his immediate backups in midfield. A player who has proven anything but dependable due to his injury issues.

Having missed months of action already this season through injury, the 31-year-old once again finds himself on the injury table having only returned for the two games against Manchester City and Newcastle United.

So with this in mind, we can absolutely understand McGilligan's frustration. If Leeds are hoping to survive the drop this season, we would also be hoping for a replacement if Klich is to depart.