Jamie Carragher shares what he’s read about new Leeds signings before deadline day
Leeds United face a massive task if they are to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.
While Daniel Farke has worked hard to bring in new signings this summer, it is likely that the Peacocks are going to be battling for survival throughout the season.
Many have predicted Leeds to be relegated from the Premier League this campaign, making it a short return to the top-flight.
However, Jamie Carragher believes that one transfer strategy that Farke has adopted this summer some be key to their survival.
Carragher praises Leeds’ decision to sign players six foot and above
So far this summer, Leeds have signed seven first-team players.
It has been a impressive summer so far, with Leeds now looking to sign Rodrigo Muniz from Fulham.
Now, one thing that a few people have pointed out is the height of their new signings.
So far, many of the Peacocks’ signings have been particularly tall, with the smallest so far being five foot 11 inches.
| Height of Leeds United’s new signings | |
| Lukas Nmecha | Six foot one inch |
| Sebastiaan Bornauw | Six foot three inches |
| Gabriel Gudmundsson | Five foot 11 inches |
| Sean Longstaff | Five foot 11 inches |
| Lucas Perri | Six foot five inches |
| Jaka Bijol | Six foot three inches |
| Anton Stach | Six foot four inches |
With the odds stacked against Leeds from the get go, Carragher believes adding height and physically to the squad could be the key to staying in the Premier League.
When asked about the gap between the top-flight and the Championship, he told The Chris Moyles Radio Show on X on 12 August: “I really hope so. I think this is becoming a problem in the Premier League now, where it almost feels like it’s a 17-team Premier League, and there are three Championship clubs in it, and they’re finding it really difficult.
“Sunderland have spent a lot of money, brought a few players in. I read a report that Leeds were identifying, only players who are above six foot. Everyone was going to be a giant who they were going to bring in. That’s what you might need!”
- Leeds are hoping to become the first promoted side in three years to avoid relegation from the Premier League
“We’ve had managers on before, we had Russell Martin, who was the Southampton manager last season – lost his job, found it difficult, one of those promoted teams. And he said the thing that he regrets is not going more physical, and that was the thing that found them out.
“So, maybe that’s a template Leeds are looking at this season, because I think it’s vital for the Premier League that one of those clubs stay up at least.
“I think it’d be difficult for all three. I think that’s nigh on impossible. But if at least one of them could stay up, and it’d be great for the league.”
Do tall players help keep sides in the Premier League?
Looking back at previous Premier League seasons, the height of a team does seem to have some say in their performance.
According to GIVEMESPORT on January 6 2025, the three promoted sides in the last top-flight campaign were in the bottom seven for average heights.
However, this seems to only affect the weaker sides in the division, with Man City and Arsenal only averaging at 180cm and 182cm, ranking as the 20th and 15th tallest.
Nevertheless, with the last three relegated sides all having squads with a below average height, it makes sense that Farke is looking to avoid this in the upcoming season.
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