How the cost of Leeds United’s starting XI compares with exactly a year ago with surprising result

Add as preferred source on Google

A second season of Championship football led to a large amount of turnover in Leeds United’s squad in the summer.

In total, Leeds brought in eight new signings to replace the 21 that departed Elland Road, in what was a window of shifting plenty of deadwood, and losing key men.

Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter were all vital to Leeds‘ success last season but have since moved onto the Premier League, helping bring in over £100 million in sales.

Only a fraction of that has been spent to rebuild the squad but additions such as Manor Solomon, Largie Ramazani and Ao Tanaka look like they will have Leeds back challenging again.

With that in mind, here is how Leeds’ starting XI against Hull City on Saturday compares to that of exactly 12 months ago, in the 0-0 draw to Sheffield Wednesday.

• READ MORE: Every Leeds United’s player rated for the season so far with four standout stars and a 2/10 flop

Starting XI vs Sheffield Wednesday (September 2023)

Illan Meslier: £5 million

Luke Ayling: £200k

Joe Rodon: Loan

Pascal Struijk: Free

Jamie Shackleton: Academy

Ethan Ampadu: £7 million

Archie Gray: Academy

Crysencio Summerville: £1.3 million

Joel Piroe: £10.5 million

Wilfried Gnonto: £3.8 million

Georginio Rutter: £25 million (initial fee)

Total cost: £52.8 million

Starting XI vs Hull City (On Saturday)

Illan Meslier: £5 million

Jayden Bogle: £5 million

Joe Rodon: £10 million

Pascal Struijk: Free

Junior Firpo: £12 million

Ethan Ampadu: £7 million

Ilia Gruev: £5 million

Manor Solomon: Loan

Brenden Aaronson: £25 million

Wilfried Gnonto: £3.8 million

Mateo Joseph: £900k

Total cost: £73.7 million

• READ MORE: What Crysencio Summerville said about Mateo Joseph at August’s PFA awards is already proving true for Leeds

Leeds’ starting XI vs Hull City costs £20.9 million more

It is actually really surprising to see the starting line-up against the Tigers costing more than a year ago considering the wealth of talent lost in the summer.

Having said that, it shows what a good job Leeds have done in the last 12 months helping develop both Gray and Summerville into the players they are today after costing so little.

With six changes, it also shows just how quickly things can change in the Championship after failing to get promoted, as Premier League clubs can swoop at any time when there is success that doesn’t lead anywhere.

Of course, the results are skewed somewhat now Joe Rodon’s move has been converted into a permanent deal. Junior Firpo was still at the club 12 months ago as well, but out injured.

One disappointing aspect this season is Leeds also do not have a single academy graduate in their XI, but give it a couple of years and Charlie Crew and Harry Gray will be pushing. Pascal Struijk is the closest, but was actually signed from Ajax.

What this comparison does show is that Daniel Farke still very much has a team capable of winning automatic promotion despite what he has lost, particularly with £25 million Dan James, £10.5 million Joel Piroe, £11 million Max Wober and £6.5 million Largie Ramazani in reserve.