Under new manager Garry Monk, Leeds United’s squad has seen a major overhaul this summer.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk before the match
Given his reputation as one of Britain’s finest young managers, the arrival of Monk could be perceived as a major signing in itself.
The ex-Swansea City boss prefers his teams to play a certain style of football, and integral to those plans were 19-year-old central midfielder Lewis Cook, a product of the Leeds academy.
Just days after Monk had blocked the youngster from participating in the UEFA Under-19 European Championships with England, he was rocked by the midfielder’s move to Premier League club Bournemouth.
Lewis Cook made 70 league appearances for Leeds after making his debut aged 17.
Monk had been hopeful of keeping the York-born player at Elland Road for at least another year. But after negotiations between between the two clubs progressed, Cook ended his 13-year association with Leeds in a deal that could see the club pocket a potential £10 million.
It was a sour way to end what had been such a positive week.
The previous Friday had been busy as Monk’s first two signings arrived. Swedish striker Marcus Antonsson joined for £2 million from Kalmar, and defender Kyle Bartley linked up with his former boss for the second time in his career, arriving from Swansea City on a season-long loan.
Next to arrive was French winger Hadi Sacko, joining from Sporting Lisbon in another season-long loan. The 22-year-old came as a particularly unknown quantity but has been one of Leeds’ few bright sparks so far this season.
Marcus Antonsson has enjoyed a good start to his Leeds career, scoring against Fleetwood and Sheffield Wednesday.
With an abundance of experience in English football, free agent Robert Green arrived on a one-year-deal after his release from Queens Park Rangers. He was given the number one shirt but was the victim of a costly error on his debut against his former employers.
Green was soon followed by midfielder Matt Grimes, who joined in a deal matching Bartley’s. Grimes has hardly featured for Swansea since making the move from Exeter as a teenager in January 2015, and spent time on loan at Blackburn Rovers last season.
Having chased one of the Football League’s most promising talents since the end of the season, Massimo Cellino paid Oxford United £3 million to sign League Two Player of the Year Kemar Roofe. The 23-year-old enjoyed a stellar season at the Kassam, scoring 26 goals as his team earned automatic promotion to League One. Despite being a key target for Monk, he has had to settle for a place on the bench in his early Leeds career.
Kemar Roofe in action against Fulham’s Denis Odoi in a 1-1 draw.
The most surprising deal of the summer was arguably the loan signing of ex-Spanish international Pablo Hernandez. The 31-year-old played with and for Monk at Swansea and arrived from Qatari club Al Arabi.
After the 3-0 defeat to QPR on the opening day, it was clear the defence needed strengthening and in came Bristol City full-back Luke Ayling. The Arsenal graduate has hardly missed a game for Bristol and Yeovil Town over the last five seasons, and is an extremely competent player at this level
Central midfielder Liam Bridcutt joined from Sunderland after lengthy negotiations that seemed to last all summer. Leeds had been intent on bringing him back to the club after a successful loan last season, yet difficulties arose around who would pay a certain proportion of his wages. However, a deal was eventually agreed as the Scotland international signed a two-year contract.
Pablo Hernandez takes on Nottingham Forests’ Henri Lansbury in the recent 3-1 defeat.
Sweden international Pontus Jansson became the tenth arrival, joining on loan from Torino. The 6″4 defender worked with Monk’s assistant Pep Clotet during his time at Malmo.
And on deadline day, Monk and his backroom staff completed their 11th signing of the summer by completing a deal for 26-year-old Bournemouth midfielder Eunan O’Kane.
Unwanted trio Mirco Antenucci, Giuseppe Bellusci and Tommaso Bianchi have all returned to Italy, while Danish midfielder Casper Sloth has called time on his Leeds nightmare.
Defender Scott Wootton signed for MK Dons upon his release, and attacking players Lee Erwin and Jordan Botaka have also stepped down to League One in need of first-team football.
Jordan Botaka joined Leeds United for £1 million on deadline day in 2015, but has made just 10 appearances.
United did make Toumani Diagouraga and Luke Murphy available for transfer, but the pair will remain at Elland Road until at least January after no club offered appropriate bids.
There was a strong sense of optimism heading into the new season with many fans believing that Monk had assembled a squad capable of pushing for the play-offs.
Yet after a shaky start that has seen just one win, another season of mid-table mediocrity seems more realistic.
Given time, there is no reason why Monk cannot succeed with this squad. Pablo Hernandez could be a real hit in the Championship, while Luke Ayling should become a firm fan favourite due to his committed performances.
Charlie Taylor remains a Leeds player despite constant speculation of a move to Middlesbrough or West Bromwich Albion.
Leeds have done well to keep hold of want-away left full-back Charlie Taylor, who handed in a transfer request last month. However, it is more than likely he will leave in January as he has less than a year left on his contract, in similar manner to Sam Byram joined West Ham seven months ago.
Monk now has a competitive squad, and one with a varying number of options. Yet the bigger issue at Leeds United for him, is the lack of time that he will be afforded by sack happy owner Massimo Cellino.
Transfer window grading 7/10
In: Kemar Roofe, £3 million (Oxford City); Marcus Antonsson, £2 million (Kalmar FF); Liam Bridcutt, £1 million (Sunderland); Luke Ayling, £750k (Bristol City); Eunan O’Kane, undisclosed (AFC Bournemouth); Robert Green, free (Queens Park Rangers); Kyle Bartley, loan (Swansea City); Matt Grimes, loan (Swansea City); Hadi Sacko, loan (Sporting CP); Pablo Hernandez, loan (Al Arabi); Pontus Jansson, loan (Torino).
Out: Lewis Cook, £6 million, rising to £10 million (AFC Bournemouth); Tommaso Bianchi, undisclosed (Ascoli); Casper Sloth, undisclosed (Aalborg); Mirco Antenucci, free (SPAL); Scott Wootton, free (MK Dons); Giuseppe Bellusci, loan (Empoli); Jordan Botaka, loan (Charlton Athletic); Lee Erwin, loan (Oldham Athletic).
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