Leeds United have had one of the most topsy-turvy transfer windows in recent times, and in truth, they’ve made quite a mark on the market with the signings they’ve brought in after massive figures left the club.
The Whites were also saved by the skin of their teeth in the recent Premier League season, so let’s take a deeper look into how they’re preparing for the 2022/23 campaign.
With Raphina expected to depart at some stage this summer, he will join the legendary figure of Kalvin Phillips in leaving the club with a gargantuan hole to fill in the starting XI. In truth, Phillips won’t be replaced completely. There’s something different about a youth star being the main man, and for this reason, no matter who the club brings in, it won’t quite have the same effect.
📰 Kalvin Phillips has today completed a transfer to reigning Premier League champions Manchester City— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 4, 2022
📰 Kalvin Phillips has today completed a transfer to reigning Premier League champions Manchester City
Raphina is going to be another massive miss, and in similar fashion, Leeds are unlikely to find a direct replacement who will bring in the effectiveness and goal contributions as he has within their budget.
While the likes of Erling Haaland and Phillips to Manchester City will take the headlines, on a pound for pound scale, Leeds have been just as positive with their incomings this transfer window.
Marc Roca, formerly of Bayern Munich, was the first man to join as a direct replacement for Phillips in midfield. The Spaniard has barely played any football in the past two years, with just 24 appearances for Bayern in this time.
Being at a club like Bayern, however, brings something different to the table, and Roca is already well-known in Germany for his defensive work and passing ability, having most notably won the 2019 European Under-21 Championship with Spain.
Rasmus Kristensen is another name who comes into the Whites' setup, and the goalscoring right-back is exactly what this attacking Leeds system needs. The Dane scored 10 times in 45 appearances from right-back last season for RB Salzburg, and he could fit like a glove in a league where attacking full-backs heavily outshine the defensively-minded ones.
The biggest signing has been the arrival of 21-year-old, Brenden Aaronson. As a star for the United States already, he has six goals in 22 caps, and with him also having a solid year with Salzburg, Aaronson could be another hit in the Premier League.
Nicknamed the “Medford Messi” in his homeland, the American put together 10 assists and six goals from 41 appearances last season, and his speed, creativity, and ability to work in tight spaces is another excellent addition to Jesse Marsch’s arsenal for the new season.