Leeds United stood out as one of the top performers in the Championship last season. Their remarkable campaign saw them crowned champions with 100 points and an astonishing 95 goals scored, a feat that ranks among the most impressive in recent years.
This success was not purely down to fortune. Alongside Daniel Farke’s strong management, the club backed him with smart moves in the transfer market. Key signings such as Jayden Bogle, Ao Tanaka, and Manor Solomon played pivotal roles in the Whites’ push for promotion. Without these additions, it is fair to say Leeds might not have secured their Premier League return.
Meanwhile, Chris Wilder, who recently returned to Sheffield United following the dismissal of Ruben Selles, has been outspoken about his views on Leeds. He admitted feeling “jealous” of the club’s approach during their promotion run and has highlighted the ambition Leeds showed in building a competitive squad.
Speaking to The Star, Wilder explained: “It wasn’t going to be a case of signing these 19, 20, 21-year-old players, because the owners know that you can’t survive in the division with just that. We were the third youngest team in the division last season. There weren’t many young players starting for Burnley, Middlesbrough, Coventry—or Leeds United. They were adding experienced signings, while we were relying heavily on youth and trying to add value to our squad.”
He further praised Leeds’ investment, saying: “There has always been, in my view, a need to bring in the kind of players Leeds went after. I’ve got to say, they were incredibly ambitious, and they weren’t afraid to spend to achieve their goals.”
However, not everything has gone smoothly since then. Despite the ambition shown in the past, Leeds’ ownership has faced criticism for their recent transfer dealings. The club’s £98 million outlay this summer has not yet delivered results, particularly in attack. With the team still searching for their first open-play goal of the season and a tough away trip to Wolves coming up, questions remain about whether the summer spending was truly well-directed.
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