Leeds United’s work in the transfer window has been very good ever since Daniel Farke stepped foot in the building, and that continued in the summer despite limitations and new personnel.
Farke’s first year saw Leeds buy Ethan Ampadu, Karl Darlow, Ilia Gruev and Joel Piroe, while bringing in Joe Rodon on loan. Next summer saw Leeds buy Jayden Bogle, Ao Tanaka, and Joe Rodon permanently.
In Farke’s third summer as Leeds boss, the club spent north of £100m and according to Robbie Evans, they maxed out their PSR position. Leeds fans and Farke wanted more, but the work done was solid.
Lucas Perri has two clean sheets in three, Gabi Gudmundsson looks a snip at £10m, Anton Stach has been one of the Premier League’s most creative forces, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin has so far remained fit.
There is a new leader in town, and his name is Sean Longstaff
But if Leeds fans were asked for the club’s best signing of the summer, it is likely to be Sean Longstaff. Leeds finally got a deal over the line for Longstaff at the fourth offer sent to Newcastle, worth £15m.
Since then, Longstaff has started four games, winning two man of the match awards and has been nominated for the Premier League Player of the Week award for his goal and assist against Bournemouth.
The plaudits have been aplenty for Longstaff and now, Stach has sung Longstaff’s praises during an interview with BBC Radio Leeds. Stach says Longstaff is “teaching” the Leeds squad how to play.
“Of course I try to learn from it [Longstaff’s Premier League experience]. It was impressive how he was playing, not only in this game. But in the home games he was really good as well,” Stach said.
“Of course, more and more, he’s coming into a leader position. He’s helping. I’m 26 but I don’t know the league like him. He tries to teach us some things and take us with him, push us, so I think it’s really good.”
What Sean Longstaff said in huddle after Leeds equaliser
Much has been made of Longstaff calling the players in for a huddle after Joe Rodon had headed home his corner. Suddenly, Longstaff has earmarked himself as Leeds’ corner taker after finding Rodon’s head.
But also, fans noticed his leadership. Stach said that Longstaff told his teammates not to be shy, not to give Bournemouth the respect that Daniel Farke’s side had perhaps afforded the Cherries until then.
“He said we need to be confident. We have to keep the ball and be strong in the duels. Not like shy and only following the person [you’re marking]. We have to go into duels, be strong, have a good attitude.”
Longstaff will almost certainly start for Leeds on Saturday when The Whites host Tottenham, not least because Longstaff has won five of his last six Premier League matches against Thomas Frank’s side.
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