Leeds United’s summer signings have been pivotal in the success the Whites have enjoyed so far in their first campaign back in the Premier League.
Gabriel Gudmundsson was recently the subject of praise from Graham Smyth, with the Swedish international quickly establishing himself as one of Daniel Farke’s most important players.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Anton Stach are amongst a few of the other new faces who have had a significant impact since their arrival in West Yorkshire.
However, it was United’s £18million signing who has been the subject of some criticism from fans that Adam Pope chose to make a sensational claim about.
Adam Pope makes ambitious Noah Okafor prediction
Okafor was recently defended by Farke in his press conference when asked about the winger’s lack of end product, which has been pointed out by the fanbase on multiple occasions so far this season.
But in a recent appearance on the Square Ball podcast, Pope was also complimentary of Okafor, claiming the best is still to come for the 25-year-old in a white shirt.
“I spoke to him the other day, and I think he’s settling down quite nicely at Leeds because he’s now this month, sitting down with the Swiss national team coach, they’ve fallen out (previously), and he’s going to try to repair everything the best they can.
“He’s getting regular Premier League minutes; they’ve got a World Cup to go to. I think you’re going to see more and better of him as the season goes on.”
Data suggests Noah Okafor has been unlucky at times this season
With just two goals and zero assists in 19 Premier League appearances, it is understandable why some supporters’ patience with Okafor is wearing thin, considering he seemingly keeps his place in the starting XI every week at the minute.
However, the data suggests that the winger has been unlucky not to record at least one assist this season.
- Okafor has an expected assists of 0.86 so far this season
- He has also created two big chances, suggesting he is more creative than his zero assists would suggest
- (Sofascore)
Whilst Okafor’s ball carrying has been an extremely useful attribute for the Whites so far this campaign, with the wide man averaging 1.5 dribbles a game, ultimately, at some point, this promising build-up play needs some end product.
If Okafor fails to provide this, Willy Gnonto and Dan James, when he returns, will be more than justified to be knocking on Farke’s door and asking for an explanation as to why Okafor continues to play instead of them.
