Dominant Jaidon Anthony performance v Swansea shows Leeds United what they will get
New Leeds United loanee Jaidon Anthony has already shown what he can do against Championship opposition this season in a dominant performance for Bournemouth against Swansea in the Carabao Cup just days before his move.
Bournemouth faced Swansea in the EFL Cup on 29 August, with the winger playing a starring role as he bagged an assist in the 3-2 win, but also provided Bournemouth with an outlet as he terrorised the opposition defence.
In Leeds’ most recent Championship clash with Sheffield Wednesday, the side struggled for invention and somebody to make something out of nothing – both things Anthony proved he can do against Championship opponents.
Anthony’s stats against Swansea make for great reading. It was not an electric winger’s performance, but more of a creative role, as he touched the ball 52 times, often drifting inside onto his right foot to bring his teammates into play.
The winger made four key passes in the game, including creating one big chance for David Brooks’ goal, while attempting seven crosses and three long balls as he looked to feed his striker at every given opportunity – something that would suit Leeds’ Joel Piroe perfectly.
He also had two shots on target and two shots blocked as he looked to repeatedly test the goalkeeper. It was an all-around impressive attacking performance from a player who has shown his new club exactly what he can do against Championship-level opposition.
It is also worth noting that Bournemouth had the majority of possession in their clash, as Daniel Farke’s side always looks to do, lending itself to the accuracy of the comparison here. [Sofascore].
When looking at the average positions of each player, Anthony found himself the most advanced man on the pitch, as striker Kieffer Moore dropped deeper to win flick-ons and hold up the ball to bring the likes of Anthony into play.
Having a striker who drops deep to link play and provide opportunities for the winger will also be replicated at Leeds, with Piroe’s preference to play deeper [Leeds Live, 2 September] likely to benefit Anthony’s style, while if Georginio Rutter is deployed to stretch the back line, the on-loan winger will be the one looking to find him.
The winger has laid his claim to a starting spot already, and may provide a better option should Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville continue to struggle as they did against Sheffield Wednesday.
In other Leeds United news, a return to Leeds for one loan player is impossible, after the latest twist.