Leeds United sit top of the Championship table with the final international break of the campaign now upon us.
The Whites’ 2-0 win over Millwall on Sunday saw them move into first place for the first time all season, having accumulated an impressive 82 points from their 38 matches so far.
Their ability to finally claim top spot has come as a result of a run of 12 wins in their 13 league matches since the turn of the New Year, clawing back an incredible 17 point deficit from Leicester City.
This form has also coincided with the introduction of a number of first half of the season fringe players into the team, showing the level of strength in depth Daniel Farke has.
So, with a little break in the season, here is our full player ratings for the campaign so far.
Illan Meslier – 8/10
After a really difficult end to last season, it took Meslier a little while to fully recover his confidence. However, he has improved vastly over the last few months and currently leads the way for the most clean sheets in the division.
Karl Darlow – n/a
Kristoffer Klaesson – n/a
Connor Roberts – 6/10
Since arriving on loan from Burnley in January, Roberts has made some really telling contributions with a goal and assist from the bench against Leicester City and Huddersfield Town respectively. However, having started just once, he can’t get higher than a six.
Archie Gray – 8/10
Gray has enjoyed an absolutely brilliant debut year and is already one of England’s best young talents. The 18-year-old has played out of position at right-back for most of the season and though he has seen a couple of wingers get the better of him, you couldn’t have asked for anymore.
Jamie Shackleton – 5/10
Shackleton was a steady, versatile option for Leeds earlier in the season but injuries and the form of others means he has barely played since October.
Joe Rodon – 9/10
Rodon has had a transformative effect on Leeds’ defence and he really isn’t far off being handed the perfect 10. Leeds have conceded the least amount of goals in the division, and plenty of that is down to him.
Charlie Cresswell – n/a
Pascal Struijk – 8/10
It is such a shame Struijk has spent the last three months on the sidelines as he really was enjoying an excellent season. He had a really good partnership with Rodon developing, was wearing the captain’s armband, and looking really consistent. Hopefully he’s back soon.
Liam Cooper – 6/10
Cooper has stood in pretty well whenever he has been needed but it has certainly been a season of leading from the sidelines for him. With a new contract unlikely, hopefully he can mark his 10th year at the club with promotion.
Junior Firpo – 7/10
Firpo barely played at all during the first half of the season due to injury, but has enjoyed his best run of form in a Leeds shirt since January. Defensively he has been better, but going forward has been where he has excelled, with five assists.
Sam Byram – 7/10
Byram was Leeds’ main man at left-back until around December when injuries really started to catch up with him. Despite his lack of game time recently, his performances during the first 20 or so matches cannot be forgotten.
Ethan Ampadu – 10/10
Spoiler – the only man to receive a perfect score. Whether in central midfield or more recently centre-back, Ampadu has been incredible and well worthy of player of the season. Has also shone with the armband in Struijk’s absence.
Glen Kamara – 8/10
Leeds spent all summer chasing Kamara and he has certainly been worth the wait. It would be nice if he would shoot more, but his quality and calmness on the ball has stood him above many Championship midfields this season.
Ilia Gruev – 7/10
Gruev would have the same rating as Kamara but for his lack of involvement in his first four months as a Leeds player. However, since coming into the team in early January, he has been brilliant and it is no coincidence Leeds have been nearly faultless with him in holding midfield.
Dan James – 8/10
James has said it himself, this has been the best season of his career. 12 goals and seven assists is some return from out wide. Willy Gnonto’s renaissance has seen him take on more of a super sub role recently, but his level of impact still remains the same.
Willy Gnonto – 7/10
Similarly to Gruev, he can’t really score any higher due to his first half of the campaign. However, since coming into the side in early February due to James’ injury, he has not looked back. He’s on seven goals for the season, six of which have come in the last nine. Hopefully he reaches double figures.
Joel Piroe – 6/10
11 goals is still a decent return for Piroe but he just hasn’t ever really felt like the right sort of player in this Leeds team. With all due respect, Leeds have looked a much better team when Patrick Bamford has been starting.
Crysencio Summerville – 9/10
His recent dry spell is the only thing preventing him from being a 10/10 like Ampadu. However, 15 goals and eight assists shows how special he has been this season. Summerville has developed into Leeds’ main man in attack, which is exactly what he has always wanted to be.
Jaidon Anthony – 5/10
Anthony has had plenty of decent cameos from the bench but only two starts means his impact has not been as he would’ve hoped. There is no doubt he gets into the majority of other Championship teams, but the form of Summerville has restricted his game time.
Georginio Rutter – 9/10
Rutter leads the way for the most assists in the Championship this season with 15, and his creativity and dribbling ability has been a joy to watch. Had he been more clinical in front of goal, a 10/10 could’ve been on the cards, but what a season he has had.
Joe Gelhardt – 4/10
Gelhardt is just about able to be handed a rating as he has played slightly more than the likes of Cresswell and Darlow. However, he still hasn’t had enough game time to make an impact. It is a real shame and he should’ve been handed another loan.
Mateo Joseph – 5/10
Only a five because of his limited opportunities. It is clear for all to see just how much potential he has, and he really is deserving of a start or two. His two-goal display in the cup at Chelsea was phenomenal.
Patrick Bamford – 7/10
You would’ve been hard pressed to find a Leeds supporter who didn’t think he was finished at Elland Road, but what a turnaround since the turn of the New Year. Seven goals in 10 starts is a fantastic return, and again, it is no coincidence Leeds’ run of form started after his introduction into the team.
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