Anton Stach outstanding, 1/10 bewildering – Leeds United summer signings rated so far
Leeds United brought 10 new players to Elland Road in the summer, with many of them having already impressed.
Leeds United sit 15th in the Premier League table heading into the October international break, though that doesn’t tell the full story.
Under Daniel Farke, the Whites have looked more than able to compete in the top flight, and several of the new additions have already proven their worth.
With that in mind, MOT Leeds News rates the performances from each summer signing so far this season.
Anton Stach – 8/10
Anton Stach‘s quality was obvious from the first second he stepped onto the pitch in pre-season, and that has continued into the Premier League.
Leeds needed physicality in midfield, and with the German powerhouse, they have got that in abundance.
Stach’s free-kick goal in Leeds’ 3-1 win against Wolves has been his standout moment of the campaign so far, though his general performances have showcased his worth.
A lack of consistency has been his biggest downfall so far, though, overall, this is looking like the best signing Leeds made in the summer.
Gabriel Gudmundsson – 8/10
Leeds were left searching for a new left-back when Junior Firpo departed in the summer, and they seem to have upgraded massively with the arrival of Gabriel Gudmundsson.
The Swedish international has shown his quality at both ends of the pitch, and his link-up play with Noah Okafor has been something special at times.
If there is one weakness to his game, it would be his tendency to switch off at times at the back, though more often than not, he has faced up well against some top-level Premier League forwards.
His game will only grow going forward, and he will almost certainly become an integral component of this Leeds set-up.
Noah Okafor – 7/10
Okafor has shown plenty of signs of promise on the left flank, and the only real concern has been his ability to stay fit.
The Siwss international has been seen limping at the end of Leeds’ last three games, though he has remained available for each game since returning from an initial injury.
Okafor has constantly looked to create things, and with two goals from four starts, things are looking promising.
With some more time and confidence, he has the ability to surpass Stach as the best signing the Whites made in the summer.
Sean Longstaff – 7/10
Sean Longstaff was an underwhelming signing on paper, but he has shown just how important he can be since breaking into the starting 11.
The former Newcastle man got a goal and an assist against Bournemouth, in what was by far his best showing in a Leeds shirt so far.
His experience has been clear, and if Leeds are to survive this season, that is going to be a key factor in their midfield.
Longstaff looks to be a player who can be effective at both ends of the pitch, which is exactly what the Whites needed in the summer, and for the price, it looks like a bargain.
Lukas Nmecha – 6/10
Lukas Nmecha was never going to be the marquee forward at Leeds, but he has more than showcased his worth as a squad player.
Arriving on a free transfer, Nmecha scored Leeds’ first goal of the season, and generally fared well when it came to holding the ball up and linking the play.
After starting well, he may feel quite hard done by to have only played 148 minutes of football this season in the Premier League.
Nevertheless, for the value for money, Nmecha looks to be a solid addition to Leeds.
Lucas Perri – 5/10
Leeds needed to replace Illan Meslier in the summer, and they did with Lucas Perri.
However, after a few errors and an injury which has ruled him out of action since the goalless draw against Newcastle, doubts are starting to creep in.
Via FotMob, the Brazilian has already conceded 1.99 goals more than he was expected to, with a 37.5 per cent save percentage.
With Karl Darlow yet to put a foot wrong, Perri may have to wait for his chance to get back into the starting 11.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 5/10
Leeds remained in the market for a marquee striker after the arrival of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but failed to bring one.
That piled the pressure on the 28-year-old, and as of yet, he has yet to deliver to the level that Leeds need him to.
His goal in Leeds’ win against Wolves remains his only one this season, having missed several big chances already in the Premier League.
Calvert-Lewin’s hold-up play has generally been solid, but the Whites need to see far more from him in front of goal going forward.
Seb Bornauw – 4/10
Leeds prioritised their defence in the summer, and the arrival of Seb Bornauw was one of several.
However, the Belgian is yet to play a single minute for Leeds in the Premier League, though he did look solid when he started in the Carabao Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
Bornauw was brought in as a squad player, ultimately, and that is exactly what he has proven to be under Farke.
James Justin – 3/10
James Justin was a bizarre signing, and a lot of it comes down to the price they paid.
Leeds paid an initial £8million to bring him to Elland Road from Leicester City, with potential for the deal to reach £10m.
Since then, the 28-year-old has played just 18 minutes of football for the Whites and has generally looked shaky in the limited time he has had on the pitch.
Given the form of Jayden Bogle and Gudmundsson, it’s hard to see him breaking into the team, leaving the question as to why they paid what they did for a player to sit on the bench.
Jaka Bijol – 1/10
Jaka Bijol, so far, is hands down the worst and most confusing piece of business Leeds did in the summer.
Despite the Whites blowing 15 per cent of their budget on one of Serie A’s top-performing centre-backs, he is yet to make an appearance in the Premier League.
His quality is clear from his time at Udinese, though Pascal Struijk has, for some reason, been preferred alongside Rodon.
Leeds bemoaned the lack of PSR wiggle room when it came to their attacking signings, which makes it bewildering as to why they spent so much on a centre-back, only to not play him.
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