Leeds United have had some stinkers in the transfer market over the years and poor recruitment was a big reason behind their relegation from the Premier League in 2023. Signing some poor players for big money has cost the Whites dearly in recent years but the club have also been guilty of making some bad decisions on players they had at Elland Road. Charlie Cresswell’s performances in France this season are showing that Leeds could end up regretting selling the academy product last summer. The Whites also made some hasty decisions in the winter window last year and one of the players who was allowed to leave is now on the cusp of getting called up to the England squad.
The Yorkshire giants missed out on promotion last season after they lost the playoff final against Southampton at Wembley and they were forced to again prepare for another year in the Championship.
Leeds lost some momentum towards the end of the season and many felt some bad decisions in the winter transfer window eventually cost them a place in the Premier League.
The Whites didn’t sign a striker in the winter window last year and the club really struggled for goals towards the end when Crysencio Summerville lost some of his goalscoring form.
Leeds also made a big decision to cut short a player’s loan stint at Elland Road abruptly in the winter window, which is now looking like a poor call given what he has done this season.
Djed Spence never got a proper chance at Leeds United
Leeds signed Spence on from Tottenham in the summer of 2023 and there were big expectations from him given his record in the Championship before he moved to Spurs.
However, he picked up a ligament injury immediately after joining Leeds and was out for several weeks before he could return to the team.
Spence started five games in a row in the Championship before he again found himself on the bench on New Year’s Day.
Leeds suddenly decided to cut short his loan and he was sent back to Tottenham. There were suggestions that Daniel Farke was not pleased with his discipline.
Spence has received a new lease of life under Ange Postecoglou this season and he has more or less established himself as the first-choice full-back in the team.
The Englishman produced a brilliant performance in Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday and there are now suggestions he could be in the England squad next month.
He is a modern full-back who can add something to England’s attack and there are claims that the new Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel wants to take a look at him.
An in-form Spence would have been an asset at Leeds
It is clear Farke was not a fan of Spence and the decision to rip his contract was led by the Leeds boss who wanted a different option.
However, from the outside, the Tottenham defender should have been the ideal full-back for a team coached by Farke given his attacking instincts.
Spence was unlucky that an injury early on his Leeds career set him back and he never really got an opportunity to play in his natural right-back position.
Can you name these past and present Leeds United players?
The decision to push him out of Leeds might have seemed alright a year back but given his performance in the Premier League, it seems the Leeds boss missed a trick.
Jayden Bogle has been a brilliant player for Leeds this season but an in-form Spence would walk into this Leeds side and even excel in the top flight if the Whites get promoted.
Leeds are already believed to be looking at signing a right-back if they go up. What would they give to have an in-form Spence in the team?
