Jesse Marsch’s era at Leeds United was largely undone by his tactics, and his dismal work in the transfer window as the American largely signed players he had worked with previously.
Selling Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips sparked the downfall, with Leeds unable to spend the money raked in for the duo wisely. Most of Marsch’s signings failed and ultimately, the American got Leeds relegated.
Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce tried to save Leeds but the damage was done. Rasmus Kristensen, Weston McKennie, Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca and even Georginio Rutter struggled after Marsch signed them.
Not only did Marsch get his signings wrong and was the manager in place when Phillips and Raphinha were sold, but some of the youngsters he allowed to depart have gone on to shine in top-tier football.
Elia Caprile joins Cagliari in swap deal after 2022 Leeds exit
Leif Davis was used in pre-season by Marsch during pre-season but he was sold and now, Barry Douglas thinks Davis could get an England call-up. Another youngster sold during that time was Elia Caprile.
The Italian goalkeeper had been on the bench at Leeds but failed to make a senior debut. He has since been shining in Italian football, even playing for Serie A title challengers Napoli under Antonio Conte.
But Caprile has largely been second choice and now, the Italian has left Napoli in a straight-swap deal that sees Cagliari sign the former Leeds man on loan and Simone Scuffet goes to Napoli until June.
After his first training session with Cagliari, Caprile posted on Instagram: “First training session – feeling good. Happy and excited for this new challenge.”
What Elia Caprile has done since leaving Leeds United in 2022
Leeds sold Caprile to Bari in the summer of 2022 and after an excellent season there, Napoli chose to sign Caprile for a fee of £6m before loaning him to Empoli which gave Caprile his first crack at Serie A football.
He played 24 times for Empoli and returned to Napoli in the summer, playing six times under Conte this season as the former Tottenham man pushes Napoli towards the summit in Italy’s top division this season.
But Caprile wants game time and has decided to join Cagliari on loan, but Napoli needed a replacement and they have brought in Scuffet as cover for Caprile, with both players joining on loan until the summer.
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