Leeds United are a contender to earn promotion to the Premier League next season despite the squad’s slow start to the 2024-25 season. Nonetheless, the Whites are in the top six even with their struggles, and one stat might explain why.
In the Championship, Daniel Farke and his team are averaging 63.9 percent possession. This means that when Leeds has the ball, they can stay competitive in matches, but it’s just as important for them to make the most of their opportunities when they do have possession.
Matches such as the recent loss to Burnley show that just because Leeds have possession doesn’t mean the outcome will be in the Whites’ favor. An opponent can catch them on a counter and a defensive mishap can lead to a goal.
Leeds are among the best in possession in the EFL
Playmaker Stats highlighted Leeds’ impressive possession stat, which is not only in the Championship but also in the entire English Football League. Leeds are at 64 percent which is alongside Tottenham Hotspur and MK Dons. Moreover, they’re ahead of more prominent clubs.
The Whites are ahead of clubs like Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool, and Southampton in possession. Furthermore, only Manchester City, Notts County, and Birmingham City have a better possession stat than Leeds.
▶️ Highest possession %s this season (top 4 tiers):
6⃣8⃣%: BIRMINGHAM*
6⃣6⃣%: Notts County
6⃣5⃣%: Man City
6⃣4⃣%: Spurs, Leeds, MK Dons
6⃣3⃣%: Chesterfield
6⃣2⃣%: Brighton, Crawley
6⃣0⃣%: Southampton, Liverpool* 68% of the ball in 2-0 win v Rotherham on Saturday.#BCFC @BCFC pic.twitter.com/408ISsjYTp
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) September 23, 2024
Under Farke, Leeds play a possession-based style, but after the loss to Burnley, it’s been criticized. However, the German manager intends to stick with his plan as he attempts to lead Leeds back to the Premier League.
“You face criticism when you don’t win games,” Farke said. “(We) try to bring the ball forward with good principles and structures – when you don’t win games, you’re asked ‘where’s Plan B?’ Pep Guardiola has this, Marcelo [Bielsa] had this here. It’s quite normal. We’re playing to win, it’s not like figure skating when you get marks for beautiful posture, we want to bring this ball into the rectangle over the line.
“If you don’t win with our style of football or Man City or Marcelo’s, it’s not the proper brand of football. Yes, but you can’t change from week-to-week to do this. It’s important we are flexible in our base formation and how we create chances. Football will always be judged in the way we deliver results.”
