Leeds United knew that they needed to make additions to their first-team squad after they won the Championship title to earn promotion to the Premier League last season.
The Whites bolstered their team with a host of signings in the summer transfer window, and they have started the top-flight season with competitive performances in most of their matches.
They were minutes away from their third win of the league campaign before Bournemouth equalised in stoppage time at Elland Road on Saturday.
Despite failing to win that game, Daniel Farke will be pleased with where his team is at after six matches in the Premier League, because they are in the middle of the park.
Points
8
11th
xGD
-1.4
15th
xG
5.9
14th
Goals
6
13th
xGA
7.3
10th
Goals conceded
8
12th
As you can see in the table above, the Whites are midtable in all the right metrics. That is exactly where they want to be as a newly-promoted team, and long may it continue.
Their recruitment work in the summer transfer window has played a key role in their comfortable start to life in the top-flight. Sean Longstaff, in particular, has stood out in recent weeks as a shrewd addition.
Why Sean Longstaff was a bargain signing for Leeds
The Championship champions signed the English central midfielder from Newcastle United in a deal that is worth up to £15m, and that is already looking like a bargain.
Longstaff played 214 matches for the Magpies in all competitions, including 171 games in the Premier League, per Transfermarkt, which meant that the Whites brought in an incredibly experienced player who was ready to hit the ground runing this season.
The 27-year-old star did not need time to adapt to the league or the country. He was able to be brought straight in to contribute, even if Farke opted to remain faithful to Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka at first.
Longstaff’s exceptional performance, as shown in the graphic above, against Bournemouth at the weekend was a prime example of why his experience is important to Leeds.
The experienced star had a bit of everything in his performance. A world-class goal. Creativity. Reliable passing. Combative midfield play in his duels. It was a terrific showing from a man who clearly knows how to perform in the Premier League.
His strike, as shown in the clip above, was a stunning strike to put the Whites 2-1 up in the match, and it was a goal worthy of winning any match. Unfortunately, Eli Kroupi’s last-gasp equaliser meant that it was only worth a point in the end.
£15m is not a gigantic fee in this day and age, given that Leeds paid £20m for Tyler Adams three years ago, and Longstaff’s performances in the middle of the park so far this season suggests that he has been an instant success for the money paid.
Appearances
6
Goals
1
Assists
1
Pass accuracy
87%
Tackles + interceptions per game
3.7
Ground duel success rate
55%
Aerial duel success rate
71%
As you can see in the table above, the midfield maestro has offered calmness in possession and strength and combativeness out of possession in the middle of the park.
Despite his impressive displays in the midfield for Leeds in the Premier League this season, Longstaff was not the biggest bargain signing of the summer transfer window.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
That title belongs to Sweden international Gabriel Gudmundsson, who arrived from French side Lille during the summer window for a fee in the region of £10m.
Why Gudmundsson is an even bigger bargain than Longstaff
The dynamic left-back’s performances for the West Yorkshire outfit since his move to English football suggest that he was an even better signing and a bigger bargain than Longstaff.
A fee of £10m, £5m less than the move to sign the midfielder, is already looking like an incredible piece of business by the club, because he has hit the ground running in the Premier League.
Neutrals who have not watched much of Leeds this season may look in from the outside and question the signing because of his freak own goal that cost Leeds the game away at Fulham, but his performances, on the whole, have been superb.
In fact, TEAMtalk editor James Marshment claimed that the “outstanding” and “tenacious” star is “up there with the best LBs in the PL so far this season”, whilst he also described him as an “absolute bargain”.
It is hard to argue with that assessment when you take into account his all-round performances as a left-back in the Premier League, as he ranks highly among his positional peers in a host of key metrics.
Chances created
4
Top 30%
Successful crosses
4
Top 22%
Successful dribbles
5
Top 17%
Touches in the oppo box
12
Top 15%
Tackles
12
Top 30%
Duels won
28
Top 22%
Ball recoveries
20
Top 22%
Interceptions
6
Top 19%
As you can see in the table above, Gudmundsson is among the best in his position in the division at crossing and carrying the ball forward, as well as at tackling, winning duels, and making interceptions.
These statistics show that he is one of the most combative and forward-thinking left-backs in the Premier League, which is why so many supporters have taken to him so quickly.
Gudmundsson, despite never having played in England before, has hit the ground running in the top-flight and become undroppable at left-back for the Whites with his all-action and energetic performances down the left.
This is why he has been an even bigger bargain signing than Longstaff, because he has been as influential on the pitch despite costing £5m less and coming in with less experience.
Not Aaronson: 5/10 Leeds star is quickly becoming this season's Bamford
This Leeds United star is on his way to becoming this season’s Patrick Bamford.
ByDan Emery
At the age of 26, the Swedish star may still have his best years left ahead of him. This means that the Whites could continue to benefit from his relentless and dynamic displays down the left flanks for many more seasons, making the £10m spent on him an absolute bargain on current evidence.