Leeds United’s failed bid for an £18 million star who now plays for Crystal Palace now looks to be a blessing in disguise after their victory over the Eagles.
Daniel Farke and his Leeds side took another step in their Premier League recovery as they put Crystal Palace to the sword under the Lights at Elland Road.
As well as being a vindication of the 49ers’ decision to stick with Farke when the Leeds boss was under significant pressure, the game also showed that the club’s recruitment strategy is now bearing fruit in spectacular fashion.
While Dominic Calvert-Lewin took the headlines in an emphatic victory, Anton Stach, Jaka Bijol and Gabriel Gudmundsson all produced solid displays for Leeds.
The game also showed Leeds that they had dodged a bullet in their last stay in the Premier League, as a one-time transfer target struggled to make an impact.
This was Daniel Farke’s best performance as Leeds manager – Prove me wrong! 💪
Palace had no answers for Farke's 'hybrid' system. Relive it all here!
One-time Leeds United transfer target toils for Crystal Palace
Leeds were in the market for reinforcements at left-back at the end of the 2020/21 season, before eventually bringing cult hero Junior Firpo to the club.
One of the options Leeds considered was current Crystal Palace player Borna Sosa, who was playing for VfB Stuttgart at the time.
According to a 2021 report from HITC, Leeds made an £18 million bid for Sosa when Marcelo Bielsa was in charge, as they looked to strengthen their backline following a successful first season in the Premier League.
Sosa had earned comparisons to David Beckham at the time, as his left foot proved deadly in the Bundesliga.
However, he has struggled to live up to the tag since joining Crystal Palace on a £3 million deal from Ajax. Sosa played just 25 minutes, misplacing one-third of his attempted passes and losing all but one of his five attempted duels, according to FotMob.
Having seen him come off the bench at Elland Road, Leeds fans will almost certainly be breathing a sigh of relief that he did not join the Whites in a big-money move.
Eddie Nketiah also struggled for Crystal Palace
There was another intriguing reunion at Elland Road as former Leeds United loanee Eddie Nketiah returned to the club.
Nketiah spent a frustrating loan spell at Leeds, with his contribution often limited to brief cameos from the bench, leaving a lingering question over what could have been.
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The former loanee scored a crucial goal against Brentford in 2019
However, while Calvert-Lewin made Leeds history in a White shirt, Nketiah cut a frustrated figure up front for the Eagles, as he had few chances to influence the game, managing just one touch in the Leeds box.
As a result, the former Arsenal youngster may wish that he had never been forced to go to Elland Road again, as his experience with Palace mirrored the frustrations of his curtailed loan spell.
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