Daniel Farke is dealing with the pressure of returning Leeds United to the Premier League at the end of the season. He failed in the playoff finals last season, and the club are desperate to ensure that they get the job done before the end of the regular Championship season. However, Leeds have been one of the best teams in the Championship over the last two years, and that is down to the quality recruitment the club have carried out over the last two summer transfer windows. Farke deserves credit for the quality of players he has brought into the club since 2023.
The current crop of players will go down as one of the best at Leeds in the last two decades if they return the club to the Premier League at the end of the season.
Daniel Farke had a brilliant Leeds team last season as well, but it was a shame that they failed to get promoted despite scoring 90 points during the regular Championship season.
It is hard to pick the standout players Leeds have brought in over the last two years under the German, but we have tried to pick out three players who could be termed the best the current Whites boss has signed during his time at Elland Road.
Joe Rodon – Mr. Reliable for Daniel Farke
Leeds signed Rodon on loan in 2023 before the move was made permanent last summer. He has been Leeds’ best defender over the last two seasons and is Farke’s Mr. Reliable. Apart from being a quality centre-back in the Championship, the Welshman is one of the fittest players at this level. Consistency in defence is so important for any team, and Rodon has started the last 76 league games for the Whites. Availability is one of the best qualities any player can have, and Rodon is always fit and ready to play. The £10m fee Leeds paid Spurs last summer was well worth it. He wants another crack at the Premier League after making a few appearances for Tottenham in the top flight.
Ao Tanaka – A £3m masterstroke by Daniel Farke
Tanaka has emerged as a cult hero at Leeds this season, but no one could have predicted this when Leeds signed him for £3m from Fortuna Düsseldorf last season. Hardly anyone knew the Japanese midfielder, and it took him a while to get into the team. However, since he got into the starting eleven, the 26-year-old has not looked back. He has been the standout player for Leeds this season and is widely considered the best midfielder in the Championship. He has been so good that some have suggested Leeds need to get promoted this season just to keep him at Elland Road. It is not surprising that Tanaka would want to play in the top flight ahead of the World Cup next summer, where he is expected to be in the Japan squad.
Jayden Bogle – Solved one major issue for Leeds last summer
Leeds needed a right-back last summer once it was decided that Archie Gray would be sold, and Bogle was the first-choice target for the club. The former Sheffield United star has been a constant in the team all season and only missed a couple of games due to a suspension. His ability in the final third has come in handy for a Leeds team that loves to attack, and he has tightened up his defensive skills over the course of the season. The £5m Leeds paid for him last summer seems like a complete bargain at this stage of the season. The fact that Chris Wilder has not stopped moaning about Sheffield United selling Bogle is priceless.
