Leeds United enjoyed a tremendous season back in the Premier League last term, but have so far struggled to repeat their efforts with summer transfers struggling to make an impact.
Marcelo Bielsa’s attacking brand of football seemed at home in the top-flight on route to a ninth-place finish. Yet second season syndrome and injuries to key players have helped to the Elland Road outfit labouring at the wrong end of the table for much of the campaign.
Bielsa will want those who joined Leeds during the summer transfer window to kick on in the second half of the season. There is clear room for improvement from many, while the absence of a few of those who departed in the off-season has not been felt that hard.
6. Klaesson – A long-term signing for Leeds’ future
Leeds brought Norway U21 goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson to Elland Road over the summer after sanctioning Kiko Casilla’s temporary departure. The 21-year-old was only expected to serve as a backup for Illan Meslier, and has stuck to that task in the Whites’ senior fold.
Klaesson has also been the Whites’ academy shot-stopper, but his U23 performances have not been perfect. After conceding 32 goals over his first 13 Premier League 2 games, Mark Jackson even dropped the youngster.
5. Firpo – A long way to go at Elland Road
One of Leeds’ biggest tasks during the summer transfer window was to sign a left-back to replace Ezgjan Alioski. Bielsa and Director of Football Victor Orta eventually agreed to sign Junior Firpo from Barcelona, but the £13m arrival has left much to the imagination since.
Alioski was not the perfect full-back, but he always gave Bielsa 100%. Firpo has a long way to go before justifying his capture, having at times seemed well of the pace needed.
4. Hernandez – Whites hero left at the right time
Pablo Hernandez will be remembered at Leeds as one of their promotion-clinching heroes and a star of their Championship era. But his exit in the summer came at the right time.
The 36-year-old only managed three starts over 16 Premier League appearances last term, while assisting two goals. He now plays in Spain’s third-tier for Castellon, yet has struggled to offer a consistent creative presence.
3. Costa – Not showing enough away from West Yorkshire
Leeds paid Wolves £16m for Helder Costa last year following his campaign on loan as Bielsa led the club to promotion. But the Portuguese could not show Premier League potential, as he offered just three goals in 22 appearances last term.
United opted to send Costa out on loan to Valencia this season, and his performance since have only justified Bielsa’s decision to try and move on from the 27-year-old so soon.
Reports by AS within a month of Costa’s transfer claimed Valencia boss Jose Bordalas had strong concerns over the Leeds loanee’s tactical understanding. Despite then gaining a key role in the Murcielagos’ side, Costa has continued to offer little in Bordalas’ attack.
2. Harrison – More to come after permanent Leeds transfer
Jack Harrison first joined Leeds on loan in the summer 2018 transfer window and helped to their promotion in 2019/20. The winger scored six goals and provided eight assists over 46 second-tier outings that term, starting all but one game.
He returned on yet another loan last season and made a superb step up to Premier League football. Harrison struck eight goals and offered eight assists over 36 games, starting 34.
Leeds finally brought Harrison in from Manchester City on a permanent transfer this year for £11m. But the winger has failed to recapture what he showed throughout last season.
Bielsa has kept Harrison as a key part of his Leeds plans since the move. But the Argentine will expect the 25-year-old to rediscover his creativity after the turn of the year.
1. James – Finding his feet at Elland Road
Leeds and Bielsa finally signed Dan James this summer after agreeing a £25m transfer with Manchester United. The Whites had come within minutes of the winger joining them from Swansea in January 2019, but his Deadline Day switch collapsed despite holding a medical.
James has grown into his role at Elland Road following a slow start on the back of leaving Old Trafford. He appeared slow in thought in the final-third through his early appearances, but found his way to score a maiden goal at Tottenham Hotspur in November.
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