Just a handful of games into the 2024-25 season, and Leeds United’s promotion hopes are in danger after a midfield crisis, only a few months after Leeds suffered defeat in the play-off final.
Ethan Ampadu had gone down with a long-term knee injury during the win over Coventry City, and then Ilia Gruev was forced off after 20 minutes in the 1-1 away draw at Daniel Farke’s old side Norwich City.
Leeds were left with the untested duo of Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka. The latter, a new signing from the second tier of Germany and an unknown, while Rothwell’s signing was deemed as largely mediocre.
Leeds needed reinforcements and after being linked with old Arsenal star Francis Coquelin and West Ham and Crystal Palace stalwart Cheikhou Kouyate, Farke settled on France international Josuha Guilavogui.
Cheikhou Kouyate lands himself a new club after Leeds trial
Kouyate was a free agent when he went on trial to Leeds. He had just left Nottingham Forest, but Leeds decided not to sign the 92-time Senegal international, and Kouyate has remained a free agent until now.
This month, Kouyate finally found himself a new club in the form of second-tier Turkish side Amedspor. He has made a couple of substitute appearances, but is yet to start having spent a year out of the game.
Kouyate will be hoping that he gets the necessary game time between now and the end of the year to tempt Senegal into calling him up for The African Cup of Nations in the new year, but it is a big ask.
What has happened to Leeds’ midfielders from last season?
With Coquelin and Kouyate overlooked, Guilavogui was signed and he made 18 appearances for Leeds before departing at the end of his contract. Guilavogui broke Vinnie Jones’ 36-year record at Leeds.
Meanwhile, Rothwell returned to Bournemouth before joining Rangers on a permanent basis. As things stand, it is the only example of a player making the jump between The 49ers’ two-owned clubs.
But, things aren’t going to plan for Rothwell north of the border. After Rangers fans and Stuart Dallas praised Rothwell on debut, Chris Sutton has since said that Rothwell looks lost in a Rangers shirt.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
