When Leeds United started recruiting players in the summer, it was clear that they had a plan. They mostly targeted players from clubs in Europe’s top leagues.
While other newly promoted clubs often shop in the Premier League and Championship, the Whites chose quite a different path. Leeds were able to land top names like Anton Stach, Lucas Perri, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jaka Bijol. All have played a key part in their fight for survival this season.
But as a club fresh from the Championship, convincing top players to come and play for you when you are tipped to be relegated is very difficult. It sometimes takes paying obscene transfer fees and wages to land these players, and most of the time they insist on release clauses in the event the club goes back down.
Daniel Farke makes huge revelation about Leeds United man
Leeds boss Daniel Farke pointed this out when discussing transfers in Thursday’s press conference. He gave an example in Dominic Calvert-Lewin, where he admitted that the club needed a lot of convincing before the former Everton striker decided to join them.
“Of course, sometimes it’s a bit more difficult and takes a bit more time to convince a player (to join Leeds).
“A player of the calibre of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, for example, who has proven his class, and there are many clubs around who would have liked to sign him.
“Of course, sometimes it lasts a bit longer, and you have to invest a bit more to convince him.”
Leeds were able to land a player with a wealth of Premier League experience, and an England international for free this summer.
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been fantastic this season
Fans complained when the former Everton man joined, and they were righ to be concerned. In his first few games of the season, he was unfit and had to be played into a rhythm. He scored his first league goal against Wolves and went on a long goal drought. In recent months, something has clicked and he now has eight goals in the Premier League.
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Dominic Calvert-Lewin | 8 |
| Lukas Nmecha | 4 |
| Anton Stach | 3 |
| Joe Rodon | 2 |
| Noah Okafor | 2 |
Daniel Farke defended his lack of goals and praised his all-round play, and now fans have come to appreciate his contribution to the team. This is a very good example of why clubs ignore calls from the fanbase over transfers sometimes.
Have to admit, I thought DCL was a poor signing indicating the club lacking ambition. Well and truly wrong was I.