This summer time presents an enormous alternative for Leeds United to strengthen their first-team squad, bolstering the ranks forward of their return to the Premier League in 2025/26.
Daniel Farke has created a superb squad at Elland Street over the past two years, main the membership to Championship glory this season, notching a staggering 100 factors.
The midfield has been essential to their success, with Ao Tanaka undoubtedly being the star in such a division, that includes 43 instances and being named within the EFL’s Group of the Season.
Brenden Aaronson, Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rothwell have all additionally performed their half, with the latter returning to dad or mum membership Bournemouth on account of his mortgage ending.
Nonetheless, if the aspect are to stay within the top-flight on the finish of subsequent marketing campaign, additions are wanted in the course of the low season, with work already being made to land new stars for Farke’s aspect.
The newest on Leeds’ pursuit of latest midfielders
Manchester Metropolis star James McAtee has been consistently on Leeds’ radar in latest weeks, reemerging after beforehand being a mortgage goal 12 months in the past.
The 22-year-old appears set to go away the Etihad this summer time, with the Whites battling Nottingham Forest for his signature, however he might value a reasonably penny with Manchester Metropolis demanding £35m for his signature.
Nonetheless, one other identify has emerged on their shortlist in latest days, with Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure of eager curiosity, in keeping with Africa Foot’s newest report.
The report claims that the Whites are battling Roma for the 32-year-old, who after signing for £20m a lot of years in the past, is out of contract on the finish of the marketing campaign, with the Malian showing to wave goodbye at Goodison Park on Sunday.
It additionally states that he could possibly be tempted by a proposal to stay in England’s top-flight, extending his stint in such a division after spending the final 9 years between Watford and the Toffees.
Why Doucoure has shades of Kalvin Phillips
Midfielder Kalvin Phillips undoubtedly stays among the finest gamers to return out of Leeds’ Thorpe Arch academy, growing via the youth ranges earlier than making his mark at Elland Street.
The 29-year-old made a complete of 234 appearances, serving to the aspect safe promotion in 2020, earlier than cementing their place within the Premier League – one thing which Farke shall be determined to do that marketing campaign.
He caught the attention together with his passing skill and ball-winning expertise, while additionally registering quite a few targets and having a constructive impression throughout the last third when the ball fell his means.
Phillips would depart to hitch Manchester Metropolis in a £45m deal again in the summertime of 2022, already being linked with a return to Yorkshire after his dismal stint beneath Guardiola.
Nonetheless, the membership ought to avoid any reunion and pursue a transfer for Doucoure, with the Malian worldwide having the instruments to be the membership’s subsequent model of the academy graduate.
While he’s featured in a extra attacking function than Phillips this marketing campaign, he has nonetheless managed to thrive out and in of possession, while handing the supervisor an added menace within the last third.
Doucoure, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by one journalist, has registered 5 mixed targets and assists this marketing campaign, while additionally notching a better shot-on-target charge – highlighting his medical edge in attacking areas.
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How Doucoure compares to Phillips within the PL (2024/25) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Doucoure |
Phillips |
|
Video games performed |
32 |
19 |
|
Objectives & assists |
5 |
0 |
|
Progressive carries |
1.5 |
0.3 |
|
Shot-on-target accuracy |
29% |
18% |
|
Move accuracy |
80% |
79% |
|
Tackles gained within the defensive third |
0.8 |
0.5 |
|
Take-on success |
53% |
41% |
|
Aerials gained |
41% |
24% |
|
Stats by way of FBref |
||
He’s additionally accomplished extra of the passes he’s tried, while registering extra progressive carries – handing Farke a superb possibility in possession all through what’s more likely to be a troublesome marketing campaign.
The Toffees star’s dominance doesn’t cease there, successful extra tackles within the defensive third and popping out on high in additional aerial battles, providing the added defensive expertise wanted within the membership’s midfield.
Given the truth that he’s obtainable on a free switch this summer time, it’s a no brainer that the Whites have to snap up a deal for Doucoure, with the Malian providing an skilled possibility in the course of the park.
If he can get anyplace close to the degrees achieved by Phillips at Elland Street, he can be one hell of an addition, probably taking part in an enormous function of their possibilities of attaining survival subsequent marketing campaign.
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