Leeds United: Stunning defensive achievement powered by four transfer market success stories
Outstanding Leeds United recruitment this season has proven central to addressing one of the club’s biggest weaknesses.
Following the 2-0 victory over Millwall, which took Daniel Farke’s side top of the Championship for the first time, LUFC Data posted on Twitter (18 March) to say that the Whites were the only club in the top four divisions of English football to have not conceded a single league goal from open play in 2024.
The “central axis” of goalkeeper Illan Meslier, centre-backs Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu, plus central midfielders Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev were highlighted as “powering” the title charge this season.
It may be a division down but that is a stunning turnaround from a year ago when Leeds United were dismal defensively in being relegated from the Premier League having conceded a league-worst 78 times.
Meslier deserves credit for bouncing back from that miserable season, which saw him benched for the final four games under Sam Allardyce.
But the four others were all new signings this summer, highlighting how right the club managed to get things in the transfer market despite starting late after the wait for the 49ers takeover to be ratified by the EFL during a chaotic summer.
Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu form Leeds United defensive barrier
Ampadu, Gruev and Kamara were all signed to restock a midfield that had lost everyone from last term, while Joe Rodon’s loan deal from Tottenham has proven vital in anchoring the defensive line, first alongside Pascal Struijk and now next to Ampadu during the excellent run of form in the New Year.
The Spurs man may yet make his stay permanent although the Elland Road recruitment department will have to assess whether he will be of similar quality if the club do make it back to the top flight.
But in light of how well Nick Hammond, Gretar Steinsson and Farke ultimately managed to restock a squad gutted by cheap departures post-relegation there should be some confidence they can make the right decisions again.
The Whites have only conceded three league goals this calendar year full stop, and oddly they have all come from set pieces beginning with crosses from their own right flank – from a corner against Leicester and one each to free kicks vs Preston North End and Huddersfield.
That the attack has scored 28 times in the same span is almost as impressive, but for Leeds United to become so formidable at the back one season after regularly capitulating in that very area is hugely encouraging.
And for four of the central figures behind that improvement to be new arrivals this term is a rare success in the market.
Rivals might argue, perhaps rightly, that the benefit of parachute payments made that far easier for the club than some, but sides like Chelsea and Nottingham Forest signing huge lists of players without much success in recent seasons prove it is easier said than done, and the huge upheval at Elland Road last summer meant the club began making their signings at a disadvantage.
Now, if Farke can keep those men fit for the crucial run in then there looks to be an excellent chance that he adds a third Premier League promotion to his name, and potentially a third Championship title too.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has given his latest assessment on possible EFL sanctions for Leicester during the title race.
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