Leeds United have seven points from their opening five league games, and have made a strong start to their bid to survive in the Premier League this season. Some of the new signings have already settled in nicely and have demonstrated their worth.
Some of the new signings came to the fore at Molineux on Saturday to get the three points for Leeds. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anton Stach and Noah Okafor scored their first goals for Leeds in the win, and showed the attacking teeth the team have.
Stach has been one of the most consistent players since the start of the season. However, Leeds will take heart from the performance and the goals of Calvert-Lewin and Okafor, the two players whom the club have gambled on to produce the goods this season.
However, one more Leeds signing had another solid game at Wolves and has been gradually emerging as one of the bargains of the summer for the Yorkshire giants.
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Gabriel Gudmundsson would have wanted the ground to swallow him up when he scored the late own goal against Fulham at Craven Cottage, which cost Leeds the match.
However, apart from that one unfortunate moment, the Swede has been one of the most consistent players in the Leeds team this season.
The Whites signed the left-back from Lille for a deal worth £10m, as the replacement for Junior Firpo, who left the club on a free transfer at the end of last season.
Gudmundsson has adapted quickly to the Premier League and is the undisputed first-choice for the left-back slot this season at Leeds.
He has been defensively resolute in most of the games, but against Wolves, he showed what he can do as a marauding runner on the flank as well.
The Swede constantly progressed the ball up the pitch with his carries and was a willing participant in the final third of the pitch for Leeds.
He has already built a good little understanding with Noah Okafor on the left flank and has been switching between overlapping and underlapping runs.
Firpo’s contribution in attack made him such an important player for Leeds last season. However, Gudmundsson is finding the right balance between remaining defensively resolute while joining in attacks.
Gudmundsson could be the bargain of the last window
Leeds spent just over £100m in the summer, and the recruitment team were under pressure to build a squad good enough to stay in the Premier League.
They were criticised towards the end of the window. However, Calvert Lewin and Okafor’s goals have come as a relief for sporting director Adam Underwood and his team.
However, Gudmundsson could emerge as the signing of the summer, just behind Anton Stach.
He has looked resolute in defence, and his attacking game is also improving, which is going to be key for Leeds this season.
If Leeds are still in the Premier League at the end of the season, the Swede could be seen as one of the most astute buys of this summer for just around £10m.
