Only time will tell whether Leeds United can class the summer transfer window as a success.
Of the seven new faces (excluding Joe Rodon), Jayden Bogle is the only one who has been able to get a consistent run in the side so far, but he hasn’t really set the place alight just yet.
Joe Rothwell, who was also an early summer arrival, has been limited to just substitute appearances since joining from Bournemouth, while Alex Cairns knows he has been brought in as third choice.
All of Leeds‘ other four signings came in the final eight days of the window and so their start to life at Elland Road has been stop-start as a result of the recent international break.
Manor Solomon is the only one who has had the opportunity to start, with Largie Ramazani and Ao Tanaka both coming off the bench twice, and Isaac Schmidt an unused sub against Burnley.
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What Isaac Schmidt did in the summer to join Leeds
All of Leeds’ four late signings moved to West Yorkshire with a point to prove, but perhaps none more so than Schmidt considering he came from the Swiss League.
Solomon made the loan switch from Tottenham on the back of almost a full season out injured, while Ramazani (aside from one brief cameo for Manchester United) and Tanaka, have never played in England.
From Schmidt’s point of view, he may have to patient in his quest for regular football, with Bogle and Junior Firpo seemingly the first choice pairing at the moment, and Sam Byram also in reserve.
However, once the Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday game weeks start rolling around, there is bound to be opportunities, and Schmidt will have to ensure he takes it.
There is no doubt the £4.6 million (including add-ons) signing has not just come to sit on the bench, particularly considering he turned down interest from the Bundesliga.
That is according to his agent Stephen Lang, who told Leeds Live that Schmidt saw Leeds as the best opportunity for his career, despite offers elsewhere.
He said: “Other clubs were interested, including Bundesliga clubs, but Leeds are a club with tradition and a rich history. For us, it was clear that joining Leeds and moving to England was a great opportunity for Isaac.”
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Daniel Farke says Schmidt has settled well at Leeds
While fans may not have had the chance to see him in action yet, it would appear Schmidt has not taken long to make an impact in the dressing room.
Speaking ahead of last weekend’s defeat to Burnley, Daniel Farke spoke of how well Schmidt has already settled in, which can only bode well for when he does eventually play.
He said: “Great guy, still a really good age, on his way up the hill in his career. Desperate to play for the shirt, great mentality. The lads love him already, but you have to keep a bit in mind, he has not played in one of the top five leagues in Europe.
“The Premier League for me is the best in the world, but the Championship is the toughest with the load and physicality. We will give him time to adapt to this. We have some proper options in the full-back position.
“He’s an important squad player, we will bring him to the door, work with him, lift his potential and it’s up to him to grab it with both hands. He has lots of potential and also a great mentality, character, lots of competition for him.”
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