The 49ers must be praised for their work in this summer’s transfer window. With how Leeds United have started the season, these signings will play a big part moving forward.
When the club finished in 14th place last season, the plan was to boost the quality in the squad.
There was a difference between the approach to the transfer market last year and this year. The focus was more on quality than quantity, looking at the calibre of players that arrived.
The club also ticked off a lot of urgent needs in the squad.
James Trafford came in as Leeds added a long term stopper, Nico Elvedi and Tarik Muharemovic have been big additions to the backline, and Harry Wilson is an upgrade on the options from last year.
Leeds United summer signing hints at frustration in honest interview
James Trafford. Credit: IMAGO
Leeds United came out swinging in the summer window, spending over £ 70 million on Trafford and Muharemovic.
Both players are young and come in with a lot of quality to make an immediate impact on the first team. Trafford leaving Manchester City to join Leeds shocked everyone when the news emerged.
The major talking point was the transfer fee, £40 million for a backup keeper.
Others felt Trafford took a step down moving to Elland Road. But the England star has since proved most of the critics wrong; he has been a solid anchor to the backline, keeping three clean sheets and conceding just six goals so far.
One of the major reasons for him leaving City was that the club signed Gianluigi Donnarumma just weeks after he arrived.
It was believed Trafford was going to be the number one, but the Italian soon took over the role with Trafford being on the bench for the rest of the season. In a recent interview with The Times, the England keeper addressed the situation with City and Donnarumma.
When asked if Donnarumma’s arrival came as a surprised, he said: “Yeah, erm, yeah, it’s one of them things. It happened, it’s in the past,”
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Things have worked out for the best for Leeds and Trafford
In the end, Donnarumma joining City has ended up being a win-win for everyone involved.
Without the Italian’s arrival, Trafford does not opt to leave Manchester City in the summer and become a Leeds player this season. The Whites would have missed out on a golden opportunity.
Now, Leeds have a goalkeeper for the long term future after a long period of instability.
If Trafford continues at the level he is playing, then the transfer will end up being one of the best in the club’s history.
