Leeds United supporters will likely be hoping that the membership can safe a return to the Premier League over the following couple of months with simply 14 Championship video games remaining in 2024/25.
The Whites are presently of their second season at this stage after lacking out on promotion final time round within the cruellest method doable – the play-off remaining.
Nevertheless, Daniel Farke has carried out an outstanding job of main the membership to the summit of the desk in latest weeks, with their 14-game unbeaten run within the league undoubtedly aiding their trigger.
In the event that they had been to safe a return to England’s prime flight, the German must do what many groups have didn’t do during the last couple of seasons and keep away from a right away return again down the ladder.
Ought to they safe promotion, the hierarchy must present the supervisor with the sources to be a hit as soon as extra, studying from their earlier errors of signing gamers not on the stage required.
Leeds United’s transfers in 2022/23
Leeds’ final season within the Premier League was a problem from the get-go, shedding Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha to Manchester Metropolis and Barcelona respectively – with the pair two of their star gamers at Elland Highway the season.
Subsequent funds had been spent throughout the group to offer depth in all areas, with full-back Rasmus Kristensen becoming a member of the membership from RB Salzburg.
The Dane made 26 appearances throughout his solely season as a first-team member in Yorkshire so far, leaving on a number of mortgage spells after relegation on the finish of the season.
He was simply one of nine senior additions through the course of the aforementioned marketing campaign, however he and his teammates had been unable to forestall the membership from dropping again into the Championship on the finish of the season.
One of many signings joined in January, providing a last-ditch try to show across the dismal type, however was subsequently unable to – thriving away from Elland Highway within the final couple of seasons.
The Leeds participant who’s just like a £92m expertise
Weston McKennie arrived at Leeds on mortgage from Juventus in January 2023, trying so as to add the wanted high quality to the midfield division to combat off any lingering relegation threats.
The American would make 20 appearances however was unable to forestall the inevitable, leaving the Whites on the finish of the season and transferring again to Serie A, forcing himself again into the first-team image in Turin.
The 26-year-old has now featured 64 times within the final two campaigns for the Italian giants, registering 18 mixed objectives and assists, together with his newest strike coming within the Champions League towards PSV final evening.
Because of his shows, McKennie has since been ranked as a similar player to Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard – highlighting how a lot he’s developed away from Yorkshire after his momentary stint with the Whites.
The Norwegian, who’s valued at £92m by Transfermarkt, has been a key member of Mikel Arteta’s aspect in latest instances however has been unable to supply higher stats than the previous loanee who’s bettered the midfielder in varied key areas.
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How McKennie compares to Odegaard in 2024/25 |
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|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
McKennie |
Odegaard |
|
Video games performed |
18 |
16 |
|
Targets & assists |
5 |
5 |
|
Shot-on-target accuracy |
56% |
30% |
|
Go accuracy |
85% |
83% |
|
Tackles received |
1.3 |
1.1 |
|
Blocks made |
0.8 |
0.3 |
|
Take-ons accomplished |
55% |
47% |
|
Aerials received |
1 |
0.4 |
|
Stats by way of FBref |
||
The Juve star has registered the identical quantity of objective contributions within the league, while posting a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate, outperforming the previous Actual Madrid star who’s extra of an attacking possibility.
McKennie has additionally accomplished more of his attempted passes and received extra tackles per 90, showcasing his glorious box-to-box playstyle, lastly beginning to fulfil his potential after his spell at Leeds.
It’s bonkers to see such a fast development after his brief spell in Yorkshire, with the American undoubtedly one of many main skills inside Juventus’ present squad below Thiago Motta.
Outperforming Odegaard isn’t any imply feat given his personal type in latest instances, with it being nice to see a former Whites participant thrive after a troublesome interval in his skilled profession following relegation in 2022/23.
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