‘Leeds United game was best I’ve seen in the last 10 years’ after recent Premier League showdown
Leeds United are drawing admiring glances from clubs in and out of the Premier League.
When Daniel Farke’s side earned promotion from the Championship last year, chairman Paraag Marathe said Leeds would be backed to the hilt in the transfer market.
As the summer window unfolded, however, it seemed Leeds were more guarded with their funds than rivals Sunderland were.
Despite Farke’s demands for attacking reinforcements at Leeds, the 49ers Enterprises insisted that they were hamstrung by the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules in the transfer market.
Still, Leeds are eight points clear of the relegation zone and are growing increasingly confident that they can beat the drop, while playing some excellent football in the process.
Leeds United playing football ‘the way football should’
While Leeds are developing a reputation for being a big, physical side, who are dangerous from set pieces, they are very capable of playing eye-catching football.
For instance, Leeds’ goal at Sunderland in December involved every Whites player having a touch of the ball in a brilliant team move.
And ahead of Newcastle United hosting PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday, Leeds have been praised for how they went about their 4-3 loss to the Magpies in the Premier League.
PSV boss Peter Bosz was asked about whether Newcastle will provide a sterner test than Liverpool did when the Dutch side thumped the Reds 4-1 at Anfield.
Bosz took the opportunity to praise Leeds for their attacking performance against Newcastle, saying it was the “best game” he’d seen in a decade.
He told reporters: “Yes. A different style. I would advise the Dutch to watch the Newcastle vs Leeds game. The best game I have seen in the last 10 years. This is how football should be played.”
Leeds’ not-so-secret weapon this season
A few eyebrows were raised when Leeds decided to snap up free agent Dominic Calvert-Lewin after a difficult past few seasons at Everton.
The 28-year-old had a questionable injury record, in addition to his lack of goals. But fast forward to the present, and Calvert-Lewin is being talked about as a possible England squad player at this year’s World Cup after netting nine goals this season.
Much has been made of his best-ever season at Everton under Carlo Ancelotti in 2020-21. But at present, the striker is on course to beat his 16-goal haul from five years ago.
| Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Premier League) | 2020-21 (Everton) | 2025-26 (Leeds) |
| Appearances | 33 | 20 |
| Goals | 16 | 9 |
| Assists | 0 | 1 |
| Minutes played | 2,876 | 1,406 |
| Minutes per goal | 179.15 | 156.22 |
His stock could not be much higher right now, but even when there were question marks over his future after leaving Everton, Calvert-Lewin still had Champions League interest last summer.
Thankfully for Leeds, he signed for them and is firing on all cylinders at Elland Road.
Stay up to date this winter with our Leeds transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Elland Road, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.