The five best pieces of business Leeds United did during the summer window

Follow us on Google Discover

The Championship side were incredibly busy during the window.

For the sixth season in a row, Leeds United changed their manager over the summer, which makes it hardly surprising that there were a considerable number of changes to the playing squad following Garry Monk’s appointment.

Here is a look at arguably the top five best pieces of business that were done during the transfer window:

Pontus Jansson (L) in action for Malmo

5. Pontus Jansson

It is too early to know whether the 25-year-old is going to be a success at Elland Road as he has currently made just one appearance for the Whites, which came in the League Cup game against Luton, hence why he has been placed at five on this list.

There is no question that Leeds needed extra depth at the heart of defence, and in Jansson, they have signed a Sweden international who spent the last two seasons on the fringes of a side that finished in mid-table in Serie A, so the signs suggest that he could be the answer to the puzzle that several managers have failed to work out in recent years.

The fact that he is currently on loan is also a bonus as if the move does not work out, Leeds do not need to worry about getting him off their books.

Pablo Hernandez, during his time with Swansea City

4. Pablo Hernandez

Like Jansson, Pablo Hernandez has the potential to be considerably higher on this list, but it has, so far, been an underwhelming start to life in Yorkshire for the Spaniard.

If he is allowed to play in a free role behind the striker, rather than being used as a wide-man or in a deeper position, then he has the potential to become the focal point of the side and inspire the Peacocks right up the Championship table.

Once again, the fact that he is on loan means that if he endures the kind of spell that Brazilian Adyran did a couple of years ago, the Whites do not need to worry about what they are going to do with him when the deal finishes.

Leeds United’s Marcus Antonsson

3. Marcus Antonsson

Of all the summer signings that Garry Monk made, there was perhaps the biggest question mark over Marcus Antonsson. Though the Swede was sensational for Kalmar this season, spending a fee that could rise to £2m (via Yorkshire Evening Post) for a player who has no previous experience of the English league was undoubtedly a gamble.

However, the 25-year-old has already shown glimpses that suggest that he can be a huge success. His movement is arguably the best of any of Leeds’ forwards, and he did his chances of endearing himself to the supporters no harm by scoring in the 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

If he can improve his finishing, he has the potential to be an hugely important player for the side as he always seems to put himself in clever positions.

Leeds United’s Charlie Taylor

2. Keeping Charlie Taylor

Charlie Taylor’s departure from Elland Road seems inevitable. The defender is out of contract next summer and handed in a transfer request during the recent window (via BBC Sport).

While keeping a player who wants to go is a gamble, it was arguably the right decision for the club to dig their heels in regarding his future.

Having lost Sam Byram in January and Lewis Cook in the summer, letting Taylor leave would have been a massive blow. The left-back is a player who is ready to play in the Premier League, and if he can find his best form over the coming months, he may be able to help Leeds challenge for a place in the top flight; which may perhaps end up being the only way that United could convince him to stay.

His departure would have also left Leeds with a major problem. Of the current squad, only Tyler Denton is also a natural left-back, and despite shining on his debut against Luton, there is little chance that the 20-year-old would have been ready to be a first-team regular.

Liam Bridcutt

1. Liam Bridcutt

While Jansson and Kyle Bartley’s arrivals may strengthen a Leeds defence that has really struggled in recent years, it is unlikely that they will be able to rectify all of the club’s defensive woes.

Liam Bridcutt’s arrival on loan last season coincided with a period which saw Leeds hint that they may be outside contenders for the play-off places in the division, and it would not be an overstatement to suggest that the Scotland international’s arrival was a key reason for their upturn in form.

He gave the back-line the support everyone could see they needed, and he also brought some additional composure to the midfield, so his return on a permanent deal is a massive coup for the club.