By Anthony Onifade

25th Mar, 2023 | 5:10pm

Leeds United 22/23 transfers rated - Marc Roca in 4/10 shocker, Willy Gnonto is spectacular 9/10

Leeds United are engulfed in a Premier League relegation battle at present which will certainly lead to increased scrutiny surrounding the board and their transfer business.

The Whites currently sit 14th in the league table just two points from the bottom three, with Saturday’s [18 March] 4-2 win over Wolves boosting their chances of survival.

However, given their similar relegation struggles last year, many of the Whites faithful will be asking various questions as to why the club are in this position again, after spending over £110m last summer.

Whites director of football Victor Orta has come under increased scrutiny and criticism for his transfer dealings in the past and it’s only right for MOT Leeds News to provide ratings on each of last summer’s signings.

Brenden Aaronson – 5/10

The American was the first signing [Sky Sports, 26 May] of the Jesse Marsch era, with the club having everything done just as they guaranteed their Premier League status for the current season.

However, it’s safe to say one of Marsch’s favourites has found it hard to nail his spot down in the first team and has only managed to register one goal and two assists from his 23 league starts this season. However, Aaronson will likely be given more time to stake his claim. Could we see a much-improved player next season?

Marc Roca – 4/10

Shocker. Roca was supposed to be the Whites’ calming and composed presence from midfield when he joined from Bayern Munich in a £10m deal [Sky Sports, 17 June]. However, he’s looked every bit the opposite, needlessly giving the ball away on too many occasions and forcing his side into nerving and unnecessary spots. And it’s no wonder why there are calls for Javi Gracia to include young talent Darko Gyabi as a replacement for the Spaniard already.

Luis Sinisterra – 5/10

The club’s big-money signing set Elland Road alight upon his arrival last summer, but due to constant niggles and injuries, the Colombian has failed to maintain his confidence and his place in the team. Still a lot to come from Sinisterra you feel but with the amount of pressure soaring in West Yorkshire right now. Time is running out.

Tyler Adams – 7/10

The American international has established himself as a pivotal and key performer for the Whites since his move from RB Leipzig, featuring in 24 of their 27 Premier League games this season so far.

However, Adams has suffered a crucial injury in the past week or so which could well prove damaging the Leeds’ battle against the drop. Adams’ energy, aggression and dynamism in the middle are incredibly infectious, traits the Whites simply cannot do without in the coming weeks ahead. He’s been a major force in an otherwise disappointing campaign.

Rasmus Kristensen – 5/10

Kristensen came with much expectation when he joined last summer, holding the capabilities to become a leading attacking force at right-back. However, the Danish international has struggled to prove his talents so far at Elland Road and has been something of a disappointment with Gracia now favouring veteran Luke Ayling at right-back instead. However, Kristensen did find the net impressively against Wolves last weekend, will that be the light to ignite his attacking fire once again?

Wilfried Gnonto – 9/10

Arguably Leeds’ best player and certainly their best summer signing.

The “special” 19-year-old Italian international has quickly risen to prominence at Elland Road through his spectacular individual performances since his £3.8m move from FC Zurich last summer, going on to become one of the club’s most prized assets. If you need any indication as to how much of an impact he’s made since joining, you’d only need to look at the plethora of interest in his services from Premier League clubs and from Serie A.

Gnonto has been the club’s most fouled player alongside Brenden Aaronson [WhoScored] and he also ranks highly when it comes to key passes, dribbles and shots per game. He ranks fourth amongst the whole squad for shot-creating actions per 90, first for carries into the final third and 1st for goal-creating actions per 90 amongst players to have played over 10 games this season [FBRef].

This kid is simply spectacular. What a signing.

In other Leeds news, the club are ready to offer one key first-team player a new contract.

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