Jesse Marsch claims 24-year-old was performing like one of the world’s best players when he was at Leeds

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One of many of Jesse Marsch’s failures while at Leeds United was the failed recruitment during the 2022 summer transfer window.

After losing both Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha to Manchester City and Barcelona respectively, Leeds opted to use that money to strengthen several areas of the squad.

Not only that, but several of them had also worked under Marsch at previous clubs. Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen were with him at Red Bull Salzburg, with Tyler Adams at RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls.

Of the seven first teams players brought in that summer, only Wilfried Gnonto is still at the club, which shows just how poor the level of recruitment was.

However, in an interview with CBS Golazo, Marsch has actually claimed that Adams’ performances at Leeds could have him as one of the top 100 footballers in the world.

Marsch claims Adams a top 100 footballer

He said: “If we’re being honest with ourselves, and we were each to make a top 100 list, we wouldn’t put an American on there right now. He’d [Pulisic] be the player that would be on the cusp.

“And if you went on Tyler [Adams’] performances at Leeds then maybe he would as well. But in reality, none of our players are playing in the top 10 clubs in the world and when they have been, they’re usually on the bench.”

Adams was certainly one of, if not the best of a bad bunch that summer, but to suggest he was at the level Marsch has just mentioned, is incorrect.

The 24-year-old is one of the best around at winning the ball back, but to be at the very top, on the ball is also important. In Marsch’s system, his limitations in possession were hidden. Under Javi Gracia, they became more apparent.

There is also a reason RB Leipzig were willing to sell him for fairly cheap. Adams has since gone onto move to Bournemouth anyway, a club where has only managed 20 minutes of action due to hamstring issues.

Adams certainly was one of Leeds’ better players in the relegation season, but the manner in which he went about his exit, means his bridges have been burnt with the club.