When Leeds United announced that Adam Underwood would become the club’s new sporting director, there was a sense of trepidation among the Elland Road fanbase.
What is considered Leeds’ most important transfer window for years, given the increasing gap between the Premier League and the Championship, fans had hoped for a more experienced man at the helm.
But after Angus Kinnear and Nick Hammond had left for Everton, Leeds announced they would promote from within. Underwood got the sporting director role, Robbie Evans appointed as managing director.
Now, halfway into the summer window, it is fair to say that Leeds fans are much more confident when it comes to the transfer team and certainly, Underwood. Seven signings, £80m spent, plenty of work done.
Adam Underwood has pulled off an ‘absolute steal’ this summer
Going into the window, Leeds needed a goalkeeper, a couple of centre-backs, replacements for Junior Firpo and Manor Solomon, two central midfielders, a starting striker and cover behind that no.1 option.
Well, seven of those nine potential signings have been made. Of the priority signings, a left-winger and a starting striker remain. But Underwood has moved quickly and done it largely on the cheap side so far.
But one signing has earned praise in particular from Michael Bridges. He told Leeds Live that he thinks to get Sean Longstaff for an initial £12m is “incredible” work from Underwood and the team at Elland Road.
“Incredible signing. Not only for the small fee, but a player I know personally. 170 games in the Premier League – you can’t buy experience like that. Only 27. He’ll just fit in seamlessly, it’s an absolute steal.”
What is Leeds United’s best midfield ahead of Everton opener?
If Daniel Farke is to look through his midfield options, he will know that the best midfield he can pick is one that sees Brenden Aaronson dropped, and Leeds play a 4-3-3 system instead of the luxury of a 10.
Time after time, Farke has made it clear that captain Ethan Ampadu is the club’s most important player. There is no doubt that Ampadu starts, whether that is at the base of a triangle, or with another player.
LeedsUnited.News feels Farke’s best chance of remaining solid but still posing a threat on the counter is with Ampadu sitting and two no.8’s either side of the Welshman. That’s where Longstaff comes in.
Only two of Leeds’ five central-midfield options have Premier League experience. Of the combined 197 Premier League appearances between the quintet, Longstaff boasts 171 of them. He simply has to start.
Leeds’ most expensive transfer this summer has been Anton Stach, but there is easily a case to be made for Ao Tanaka. Leeds’ best midfield is Ampadu holding, behind Longstaff and either Stach or Tanaka.
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