Leeds United fans will be impressed by how effectively their side has handled with adversity so far this season. Daniel Farke had to pick up the pieces from a number of high profile departures this summer and construct a new-look Whites XI capable of challenging near the top of the Championship.
The early signs appear to indicate that the Whites will be in promotion contention for the majority of the long season ahead, with six games now completed in the testing level and Leeds just losing one.
It appears that the signings in through the door this summer have also been thought about methodically, in contrast to Leeds’ recent Premier League past, when rash purchases entered the building and flopped, with new summer signing Largie Ramazani opening his Whites account this weekend away at Cardiff City.
Furthermore, Ao Tanaka and Manor Solomon have both looked comfortable at the level when given the opportunity, with the German fully aware that he will need to use his entire squad to stand a chance of promotion.
While these new faces appear to be fitting in well, other purchases from Leeds’ not-so-distant Premier League days failed to win over the hardened Elland Road crowds, including this expensive £20 million buyback in 2022.
Tyler Adams’ transfer to Leeds
Tyler Adams would arrive in Leeds during the same busy summer transfer season that saw the likes of Luis Sinisterra, Maximilian Wober, and many others join for megabucks from rich European outfits, with the buzz surrounding all of these lavish purchases skyrocketing.
Many considered the American midfielder as an obvious successor to Kalvin Phillips, who was moved to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City during the busy transfer season. However, those who expected the world of the ex-RB Leipzig man on his arrival were disappointed.
He was also expected to be a good signing because of his former connections to then-Leeds manager Jesse Marsch, having worked together at the New York Red Bulls and RB Leipzig, but not even that connection could save the now-25-year-old’s forgettable time in West Yorkshire.
Instead, Adams’ tenure at Leeds would be cut short because he lacked the leadership abilities and determination of the outgoing Phillips to steer his new club away from relegation, and his one complete season with the Whites was marred by Leeds’ relegation to the second tier.
Full Leeds XI for Adams’ Premier League debut | |
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Leeds 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers, August 2022 | |
1. GK – Ilian Meslier | |
2. RB – Rasmus Kristensen | |
3. CB – Robin Koch | |
4. CB – Diego Llorente | |
5. LB – Pascal Struijk | |
6. CDM – Marc Roca | |
7. CDM – Tyler Adams | |
8. RM – Brenden Aaronson | |
9. CAM – Rodrigo | |
10. LM – Jack Harrison | |
11. ST – Patrick Bamford | |
Sourced by Transfermarkt |
The main Leeds lineup has changed significantly since Adams’ debut, with six of the starting eleven from the above team no longer on the Whites’ roster, but Leeds will be relieved that they were able to sell the American dud permanently, as opposed to other flops who are only on loan at Elland Road.
AFC Bournemouth paid £24 million for the struggling 27-year-old Adams after the Whites were relegated, hoping to get the best out of the underperforming former Leipzig player.
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