A lot of criticism has been levelled at Leeds United’s transfer team, namely Adam Underwood and Robbie Evans, in the last few weeks, after failing to sign an attacker in the final days of the window.
Following the window, Evans said Leeds had a good window, but it ended badly. Many Leeds fans were in disagreement when hearing this sentiment, but the win over Wolves will have delighted the transfer team.
Not only did Leeds get three points on the board with five new signings in the starting line-up, but they did it with three additions getting their first goals: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor, and Anton Stach.
Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach, Noah Okafor, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have made themselves key players already, while James Justin could come in after Jayden Bogle suffered an injury.
Sean Longstaff was signed on the advice of the Leeds data team
Leeds only managed to get a deal over the line for Longstaff after a fourth bid was sent to Newcastle, an initial £12m plus £3m in add-ons. Longstaff was in the final year of his deal at Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.
Having started on the bench against Everton and Arsenal, Longstaff finally came into the starting line-up against his old side Newcastle and was man of the match. Longstaff has been crucial in the engine room.
According to the i Paper, Longstaff was presented as a signing by the data team because of his incessant work rate off the ball. It is clear to Leeds fans that they have got themselves a real bargain in Longstaff.
Ao Tanaka will have to be patient as Longstaff shines in midfield
Tanaka was billed as being the one to watch for Leeds in the Premier League. Joe Rodon said he was keen to see Tanaka shine in the top tier of English football, but it hasn’t worked out that way up until now.
Starting against Everton, injured against Arsenal, a sub against Fulham and Wolves, Tanaka is going to have to wait for his chance with the combination of Longstaff, Stach, and Ethan Ampadu working well.
It is as if the trio have been playing together for years. They complement each other. Stach is allowed to get forward and create, Longstaff can get up and down, and Ampadu’s reliability makes them perfect.
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