Leeds' Smart Summer: How Sensible Business Has Replaced the Usual Panic

A quiet, sensible summer of business has Leeds fans daring to dream beyond survival.

A Rare Summer of Calm

The end of last season feels like a lifetime ago; the World Cup, interspersed with Gianni Infantino embarrassing himself at various moments, has dominated the summer.

However, outside the noise coming out of North America, Leeds have gone about setting themselves up for the new season with a quiet assurance. That's quite extraordinary in the world of Leeds United. Usually the panic has well and truly set in by this point as gaping holes in the squad remain unplugged.

The business done this summer has involved some big fees, but despite that they feel sensible. Of course, there are still areas that could been strengthened but overall things have gone suspiciously well so far.

Fixing the Number One Problem

It's fair to say Lucas Perri severely underwhelmed last season. After arriving from Lyon for a modest fee last summer, he never really convinced in a Leeds shirt and lasted about half season before losing the no.1 spot to Karl Darlow. Sure, there were some good saves, but none of them quite stick in the memory like the mistakes. It's perhaps an unfair aspect of goalkeeping, but that's the way it goes in football's most unforgiving position.

Long gone are the days where fees between £10-20 million gets you even a serviceable goalkeeper in the Premier League; Leeds were going to have to fork out to fix a problem position - and fork out they did.

James Trafford arrived for £40 million plus - a club record fee - from Man City. City reneged almost immediately on their promise to make him their number 1 last season, which meant his time there was one of frustration. That said, he's highly rated and strongly tipped to become England's first choice in the not so distant future. Leeds will be expecting big things from the 23 year old in a position that's been a concern for a long time now - so long in fact that I'd argue (with little resistance I imagine) Leeds haven't had a truly top-class 'keeper since Nigel Martyn was at the peak of his powers.

Back Three, Bolstered

The switch from a back 4 to a back 3 was revelatory for Leeds last season, and it looks like Farke will stick with it heading into this weekend's opener.

Pascal Struijk may have left for Brighton, but his replacement looks to be an upgrade. Tarik Muharemović has joined from Sassoulo for £34 million. I'll admit, before he signed the only time I'd heard of Muharemović was a couple of weeks earlier; he was the player who Florian Balogun stood on that led to his infamous red card - a red card that was subsequently rescinded thanks to Donald Trump leaning on his old friend Gianni.

People who are far more versed in Italian football were surprised the Bosnian didn't land at a 'bigger' club. Sly Leeds slander aside, those opinions do make me feel that we may have landed a coup here. His performances in preseason have done nothing to dissuade me from that view.

Elsewhere, Sebastiaan Bornauw has joined Hamburg on loan, with Nico Elvedi, the Swiss centre-back, signing as his replacement.

I like the Elvedi deal; the fee is low, he looked solid for Switzerland at the World Cup, and he's worked with Farke before. Also, he has the capabilities to challenge for a starting spot, unlike Bornauw who never really looked like troubling Rodon, Bijol, or Struijk for their places last season.

Standing Firm on Charles, Cashing In on Wilson

Central midfield has remained unchanged at the time of writing. Tying Ampadu down with an improved contract was vital early summer work, and as a fan of Tanaka I'm happy that it looks as if he's staying put - for now.

The club have looked at adding a central midfielder, though. The early part of the summer was spent halfheartedly pursuing Shea Charles. Southampton, shameless as always, slapped a whopping £30 million price tag on the Northern Ireland international. Leeds refused to meet the asking price; the club valued Charles at around £20 million. Thankfully, Leeds stood their ground on this one, and Charles eventually joined Fulham, who were willing to part with the cash.

I like Charles, I think he's a good player, but £30 million for a player whose only experience has been in the Championship is obscene. I know football and obscene money go hand-in-hand these days, but that cash can, and should, be used elsewhere.

Further forward in midfield, Leeds landed one of the bargains of the summer. After missing out on him on a previous transfer deadline day, Harry Wilson finally signed for Leeds. What made it even better was the fact he joined early and on a free.

It's a signing that makes absolute sense for the club. Wilson is coming off his best ever season with Fulham, and he has plenty of Premier League experience. Whether cutting in from the right or playing centrally behind the striker, the Welshman should offer plenty of goal threat.

Yes, his wages are high, and the contract is long for a 29 year old, but Leeds need players who can contribute immediately. We're still in the process of re-establishing ourselves as a Premier League club and if we lose sight of the present while chasing the future, that future may not arrive.

One Injury Away From Trouble

Like central midfield, the attack looks much the same as last season. No new faces are yet to appear, however, Joel Piroe has left to join West Ham on loan. While Piroe leaving leaves us light up front, it's hard to say we'll miss him too much; he's clearly not cut out for the top flight.

I was pleasantly surprised at how robust Calvert-Lewin proved to be last season, and fingers crossed that remains the case. It only takes one injury to him, before everything starts to look very threadbare at the top of the pitch for Leeds.

Nmecha's awkward, physical qualities lend themselves well to certain situations, but he's lacking in overall quality. Signing another option is a priority.

The Last Pieces of the Puzzle

Aside from the aforementioned need to sign a striker, there aren't too many problem areas remaining. Gabby Gudmundsson is likely to be injured for the first 2 games of the season, and while Justin has proven to be an able deputy, he's not a natural left-footer. If the right deal for left-back presents itself, it will surely be explored by the club.

As Leeds fans we always crave that Pablo Hernandez-esque player; the type of player that can unpick a defence with the flick of a boot. With Wilson's arrival, a creative number 10 may be a luxury rather than a necessity, but it's something Leeds have clearly looked at. Initially, Julian Brandt, formerly of Borussia Dortmund, appeared to be on the cards, but he decided he couldn't hack it in the Premier League and scuttled off to sign for Ajax. His loss.

Twelfth Place — and a Cup Final?

In the end, Leeds avoided the drop comfortably last season. However, it didn't feel comfortable until about 3 games to go. Next season won't be like that. We've improved our squad, and the teams coming up don't look anywhere near the required standard to compete like us and Sunderland did upon our return.

A comfortable 12th placed finish, if not higher, should be well within our grasp. We got a taste of Wembley last season, and I for one am keen for another (hopefully we finally score there). With this in mind I'll boldly predict that we reach a cup final.

MOT