Daniel Farke has turned Leeds around by masterminding a five-game unbeaten run.
The German – who supporters wanted to be sacked in November – has completely eradicated the pressure on his job after taking Leeds six points above the relegation zone with a game in hand, although his treatment of Charlie Cresswell still doesn’t sit right with a portion of the fanbase.
Daniel Farke handed the Leeds academy graduate just seven appearances, and accused him of not being “mentally ready” as the spat developed. His father Richard Cresswell also had a pop at the 49-year-old for overlooking his son before a £3.8m sale to Toulouse was eventually sanctioned.
Now – however – Leeds can partly make amends for losing such a top talent by signing a vastly similar player in Danilho Doekhi.
Leeds United can land a replica of Charlie Cresswell in Danilho Doekhi
Sky Sports believe Leeds are monitoring Doekhi as Joe Rodon prepares to spend three weeks on the sidelines due to ankle ligament damage.
Agree or disagree – Joe Rodon is the last player Leeds United could afford to lose to injury 🤕
The centre back limped off midway through the first half against Sunderland
Interestingly, the Union Berlin No.5 is the closest player to Cresswell – who Juventus want – statistically across the last 365 days, according to FBref.
Doekhi and the Toulouse No.4 both excel when it comes to attacking the ball in the opposition box, with the Dutchman scoring six goals in 18 appearances this season while the Englishman has three in 16 games.
The same can be said when it comes to defending.
Doekhi wins 3.88 aerial duels per game while Cresswell can boast 3.73 every 90 minutes, which puts them in the 97th and 95th percentile across Europe respectively for that particular metric.
They are also in the same boat when it comes to progressive passes, as the Union Berlin defender records 0.38 per game while the former Leeds man registers slightly more at 0.42 every match.
Danilho Doekhi is already fulfilling a very similar role to Joe Rodon
The Dutchman ticks so many boxes in terms of what could make an effective mid-season arrival.
Doekhi already knows Brenden Aaronson and Pascal Struijk, who can help him settle in Yorkshire.
Which player would you be happy for Leeds to sell in January to fund their transfer business? Let us know in the comments… 🤔💰
The likes of Joel Piroe and Willy Gnonto are struggling to force their way into Farke's plans.
Not only that, but Steffen Baumgart has been deploying the Leeds target as the right-sided option in a back three this season, which is exactly where Rodon has been playing in the 3-5-2 formation.
It means a move to Elland Road shouldn’t be too much of a shock to the system for Doekhi from a tactical perspective, as he already has plenty of practice playing in a style similar to the current shape at Leeds.
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