How Daniel Farke and Leeds can unlock the best version of Julian Brandt
Julian Brandt remains linked with a move to Leeds United, despite talks dropping cold in the last week.
The German midfielder is now officially a free agent, following the expiration of his Borussia Dortmund contract.
Brandt leaves Die Schwarzgelben after seven years at the club, scoring 57 times and registering 70 assists.
At 30, his peak years may be behind him, but he remains one of the, if not the most talented German of his generation.
Leeds were quoted as interested last month, prompting speculation among the fanbase as to whether a move would be possible.
And if Elland Road really is a viable destination, boss Daniel Farke must get to work on a certain plan regarding getting the best out of him.
Don't let Julian Brandt's physicality fool you - he is still versatile
Across his career, Brandt has earned a reputation of being somewhat of a luxury player.
But, this is somewhat of a false perception as a result of his nonchalant style, and what is a real lack of pace.
He is absolutely a hard worker, and is not just someone to thrive in a slower, possession-based system.
He is not a dribbler, and rather someone who expertly finds space, and utilises this superbly.
With just 56.79 touches per 90 last term - placing him in the 67th percentile in the Bundesliga - he racked up 34.39 successful passes, 0.45 big chances created and 0.30 expected assists.
These numbers do not exactly jump off the page, but he is someone who thrives when given the ball, and can make the most out of even a smaller number of chances
Michael Olise for example, touched the ball 90.70 times per 90, a figure almost double that of Brandt.
Last season, Brandt would net seven times and register four assists in 17 league starts, and these numbers would only rise in a Leeds team built to get the best out of him.
Where would Brandt play and how do Leeds adapt?
The 30-year-old is not quite a bundle of energy like those around him, but he would fit into the 3-4-2-1 deployed last season seamlessly.
Finding space, as well as working well in tighter areas, the former Germany international needs runners, and this is something that Farke made interal to his style last term with Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson on the flanks.
But, the pair would need to put in even more of a shift, alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin up top.
Brandt makes a lot happen without needing much of the ball, as seen with his 10 assists two years ago with just 59.25 touches per 90, working well with Serhou Guirassy in front of him, and Daniel Svensson, Karim Adeyemi and Co. on the outside.
If he were to join Leeds, he must be allocated a pivotal role, one where he knits attacks together and forms combinations with those around him.
Should he get such a role, the Whites would be adding a real difference maker to the side - one who can make so much happen out of relatively nothing.