It’s not an exaggeration to say Leeds United’s loan business cost them promotion.
Leeds United’s promotion dream crumbled last week as they lost 4-2 to Derby in the play-offs.
Two of Derby’s goals were scored by loan stars Mason Mount and Harry Wilson, who have each been terrific this season for the Rams.
Liverpool owned Wilson, 22, has scored 18 goals for Derby and is their top scorer. Mount, of Chelsea, has netted 11 times.
Fikayo Tomori, of Chelsea, also starred in the win at Elland Road and has been a big asset.
Leeds’ loan deals have been embarrassing by comparison, although it was not for lack of trying.
Leeds signed Lewis Baker, Izzy Brown and Jamal Blackman on loan from Chelsea.
Between the three of them, they managed a combined two Championship starts this season.
Both of those starts came courtesy of Baker, who was used mainly as a substitute or not even as part of the squad, and quit Leeds in January to sign with Reading on loan.
Blackman could not win the number one spot, and when he was set to be given a chance, he suffered a season ending injury.
Brown arrived injured, which Leeds knew, but expected he would be a starter in the second half of the season. He made just two substitute appearances.
Compared to Derby’s transformative loan signings, Leeds’ additions look especially poor.
The Whites did make one positive loan signing, adding Jack Harrison from Manchester City.
He has been a regular, but his numbers don’t compare to Mount or Wilson. He ended the season with four goals and three assists.
If Leeds are going to win promotion next season, they need to be shrewder in the loan market, and have a bit more luck along the way too.
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