Leeds United supporters will probably 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 attainable – the play-off ultimate.
Nevertheless, Daniel Farke has carried out an excellent 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 did not do over the past couple of seasons and keep away from a direct return again down the ladder.
Ought to they safe promotion, the hierarchy must present the supervisor with the assets to be successful 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, dropping 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 in every of 9 senior additions throughout the course of the aforementioned marketing campaign, however he and his teammates had been unable to stop 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 kind, 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, wanting 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 stop 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 occasions 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 in opposition to PSV final night time.
On account of his shows, McKennie has since been ranked as an analogous participant 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 occasions however has been unable to provide higher stats than the previous loanee who’s bettered the midfielder in numerous 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 purpose contributions within the league, while posting a better shot-on-target accuracy fee, outperforming the previous Actual Madrid star who’s extra of an attacking choice.
McKennie has additionally accomplished extra of his tried 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 quick spell in Yorkshire, with the American undoubtedly one of many main abilities inside Juventus’ present squad underneath Thiago Motta.
Outperforming Odegaard isn’t any imply feat given his personal kind in latest occasions, 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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Leeds United took an enormous leap in direction of Championship promotion with an enormous 4-0 win final night time.
