It already feels like a lifetime ago, but Leeds United underwent a summer overhaul as eight players were sold by the club on a permanent basis while plenty more left on free transfers, or on loan.
Diego Llorente and Marc Roca joined Real Betis permanently, Kris Klaesson went to Poland before going to Denmark with AGF Aarhus. Charlie Cresswell and Glen Kamara moved to France, joining Ligue 1 clubs.
That is aside from the three big sales of the summer. Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter headed to the Premier League after missing out with Leeds, following the play-off final defeat.
Llorente and Roca have been solid at Betis, Cresswell has recovered from a howler against Marseille and both Rutter and Summerville are ticking along nicely. Summerville scored in a win against Man United.
But for Kamara, things are not going to plan…
French media hammer Glen Kamara as Rennes suffer 4-0 defeat
Going up against newly-promoted Auxerre on Sunday, Rennes were expected to pick up a decent result despite being away from home. But Rennes were hammered 4-0 by Auxerre, a fifth loss of 10 matches.
Kamara has been in and out of the Rennes XI, starting his sixth game on Sunday. But he struggled and was hooked at half-time, at fault for Auxerre’s second goal. French media were scathing in their verdict.
Stade Rennais Online published a player ratings piece and Kamara was handed a rating of just 2/10, with the outlet saying Kamara was “overwhelmed” in midfield and could not combine with Azor Matisuwa.
“Half-time and it was over for the other member of the duo who was overwhelmed in midfield. He was also badly placed on the second goal, and for a period he never managed to get along with Matusiwa.”
Not only is Kamara failing, but Leeds have improved in midfield
The grass is not always greener and that is proving to be the case for Kamara. Following his exit, Kamara said that he joined Rennes due to their ambition but the Finland star is struggling to prove his £8.5m fee.
Leeds have improved in midfield on the back of Kamara’s exit, even after the injuries suffered by Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev. The combination of Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell is working extremely well.
Tanaka has even overtaken Kamara in shots despite playing 27 less times in the standard Championship season. So while Kamara is struggling in France, Leeds are better off without the former Rangers man.
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