Leeds United owe a lot to the core of players who helped push them across the line in the Championship last season. The team has undergone some revamping during the transfer window and just a few remain.
Last season’s top contributors are either not at the club or currently not getting enough playing time. Manor Solomon was not signed on a permanent deal, and Joel Piroe has been out of favour this season. Ao Tanaka, who was voted as Players’ Player of the Year last season is now struggling to start consecutive games.
They have now been replaced by the likes of Anton Stach, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin among others.
Leeds United should move on from £25m ace this summer
Dan James was also a huge part of the promotion run in; before he got injured near the end of the season, he carried the team on his back. The Welsh international managed to score 12 goals and had nine assists in the league. His performances were enough for the club to award him with a new contract last summer. James signed a long term deal to continue after returning to the club a few years ago.
| Competition | Games Played | Minutes Played | Goals + Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 15 | 422 | 0 |
| FA Cup | 1 | 70 | 0 |
| EFL Cup | 1 | 12 | 0 |
| Total | 17 | 504 | 0 |
But this season has not gone as planned; the winger has been out injured for more than half of the season and has barely featured in consecutive games. He has zero goals and assists this season in all competitions. James’ recent outings show that he has declined, losing a yard of pace and he is not that sharp anymore. Selling him this summer should be an option on the table, his injuries this past year have not been great. And he now looks out of place in this current team.
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Whites need investment in attacking areas
Even with his lack of match sharpness, and that fact that he has not been productive this season, he will get many suitors in the summer. Clubs will want to sign the winger; teams that can give him the game time he cannot get under Daniel Farke. Leeds might not get a huge outlay for the 28-year old, but whatever funds they get should be invested into the attack. The team cannot go into next season with depth options including Joel Piroe, Dan James and Brenden Aaronson.
