Leo Hjelde completed a permanent move from Leeds United to Sunderland in the January window as Leeds cleared the decks by offloading a number of fringe players – and he compared the sides.
Hjelde was one of nine players that left. Djed Spence returned to Tottenham, before going to Genoa on loan. Luke Ayling and Ian Poveda to Middlesbrough and Wednesday on loan – deals expiring in June.
Sean McGurk and Jack Jenkins went permanently to Swindon and Halifax. Lew Bate, Jeremiah Mullen and Darko Gyabi went on loan to MK Dons, Inverness and Plymouth. Hjelde the only one to cost a fee.
Sunderland paid £2m for the left-footed defender. He has since made his debut, impressing for the Black Cats in a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough. He spoke to the Sunderland Echo after Sunday’s game.
He compared the squads at the Stadium of Light and in Yorkshire and he claims there is little between Daniel Farke’s side, and his new outfit. The only difference being the experience over at Elland Road.
“If you look at the Sunderland squad compared to the one at Leeds, I don’t really think there’s any difference in terms of quality. The biggest difference is probably the age of the squad,” Hjelde said.
Leo Hjelde compares Leeds United and Sunderland squads
Hjelde’s claim is interesting. Sunderland do have a particularly young squad, especially after they just let Alex Pritchard go to Birmingham City. Their best players are all young; Jack Clarke, Jobe Bellingham etc.
Leeds’ squad is also very young. The best players in this Leeds side are mostly under 25 – Archie Gray, Ethan Ampadu, Cree Summerville, Georginio Rutter, Illan Meslier. But, they are experienced and young.
Leeds have the benefit of young players that are all clocking up huge amounts of game time. Ampadu has played 208 games for club and country at just 23. The signing of Connor Roberts adds experience.
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