MOT View: Leeds 28y/o had one of the most drastic transformations at Elland Rd before major blow
Leeds United fans have spent most of the season being frustrated by how much Adam Forshaw has struggled to get himself back up to fitness.
The 28-year-old midfielder started the season brilliantly but hasn’t played since September 28 since a hip injury. Everyone thought that the ex-Middlesbrough player would be back before too long but he endured setback after setback and eventually had to undergo season-ending surgery in the States earlier this year.
Forshaw is now, thankfully, back on the mend and should be back up to full fitness in August. Whether or not he can play a role this season remains to be seen but with football still suspended for the foreseeable future, it means there is at least a chance of the midfielder making an improbable comeback.
Because it has been so long since Leeds fans saw Forshaw in action, many have probably forgotten how well he actually played in his seven Championship appearances in August and September.
Everyone raves about the transformation of Kalvin Phillips under Marcelo Bielsa’s charge – but there’s no denying that Forshaw’s improvement has been one of the most drastic.
Last season, Forshaw was quite a frustrating player to watch.
Stats by WyScout show that the midfielder lost the ball 7.13 times per 90 minutes of Championship action, averaged 1.72 dribbles, 0.34 touches inside the box and won 45.3 per cent of all his offensive duels.
Fast forward to the start of this season and Forshaw lost the ball an average of 6.33 times per 90 minutes in the league, average 1.87 dribbles, 2.16 touches inside the penalty area and won 55.3 per cent of his offensive duels.
His shot assists have gone up from 0.95 to 1.15 per 90 minutes and his shots at goal have improved from 1.12 to 1.87.
It is clear that Forshaw had been unshackled and was allowed to play in a much more attacking role that he had previously done at Leeds United.
Forshaw has been transformed from someone who was forced to sit deep in the midfield to someone who perfectly complimented Phillips.
Usually it would have been either Forshaw or Phillips to play in the deeper-lying midfield role but at the start of the season the two were in tandem with one another as one sat back and did the midfield dirty work, while the other had a major impact on the offensive side to the game.
Forshaw can still play in the role that Phillips does and when the England hopeful has been injured or suspended, many have wanted Forshaw back in the side to replace him.
He’s been so unfortunate with injuries because this could have been one of the best seasons in Forshaw’s career.
In other Leeds United news, here’s what will happen to Leeds’ deal with Adidas if the season extends past the summer.