Leeds United have moved with caution and intent this summer. Every one of their targets has been part of a larger recruitment plan.
It is a huge breath of fresh air after what has happened in the past few seasons. The last time the club decided to spend big, they gave Jesse Marsch a huge budget to sign former Red Bull talents and most of them ended up as flops.
This time, the recruitment team have been very particular about who they target, and who they eventually sign. Leeds have taken chance to improve quality and depth throughout this window.
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Daniel Farke explains criteria for Leeds United targets
Credit: Imago
Taking time to speak to the media during pre-season training, Daniel Farke highlighted the importance of having a criteria for transfer targets. He emphasized that the team focusing on tall, physical players is geared towards the Premier League:
“Of course, if you join the Premier League and you have one of the smallest groups, you expect that probably there is more pressure on you than was perhaps in the Championship,” he explained (quotes via Leeds Live).
“You have to make sure that you are also good at defending crosses. Also more corner kicks, more wide-area free kicks against us. It’s important to be really, really good and strong.
“Also on the other end. Because I’m not sure if we can dominate all of the games in the manner we did on Championship level.”
Farke added that aside the physical qualities, the plan was to sign very good players.
“But more important is they [new signings] are really good players. We don’t want to play basketball with them, when these guys climb out of the bus, it’s quite impressive – I quite like it! But more important to set a really good football players.”
Recruitment has been spot on so far
Jaka Bijol and Gabriel Gudmundsson look like the perfect for the defence already, Lukas Nmecha has showed some spark and Sean Longstaff will be very important for the team.
Leeds will not be relying on just a core of players, as this transfer window has added some serious quality to the team.
How do they fit in the tactics for next season?
The defensive additions speak for themselves, but the most important signings are the midfielders. Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff bring the qualities needed for the new midfield three Daniel Farke has been experimenting with.
Stach is a ball winner who can serve as the anchor, and Longstaff is a dynamic number eight who can score goals. Leeds United are close to building a solid team to survive the Premier League next season.
