HEARTBREAKING REPORT:Daniel Farke signs his resignation letter few minutes ago
The summer transfer window was certainly eventful for Leeds United as the Whites contended with the financial implications of their failure to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.
When Adam Armstrong fired the only goal in last season’s Championship play-off final and sent Southampton back into the top flight, he signalled the start of what would be a challenging period for the Whites as they faced up to the reality they would lose a number of their key players over the months that followed. The likes of Robin Koch, Marc Roca and Diego Llorente all made permanent exits from Elland Road after spending last season on loan elsewhere. Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville were both expected to leave and their respective departures to Brighton and Hove Albion and West Ham United brought in around £65m. However, it was the sale of highly-rated academy graduate Archie Gray that caused the most pain as he joined Tottenham Hotspur after a decision the Elland Road hierarchy described as ‘heartbreaking’.
But that’s enough of the negativity for now. There have been some intriguing additions to Daniel Farke’s squad as Joe Rodon made a permanent switch to Leeds after spending last season on loan at Elland Road. Jayden Bogle was brought in for around £5m, Ao Tanaka joined from German club Fortuna Dusseldorf and Tottenham Hotspur winger Manor Solomon and Bournemouth midfielder Joe Rothwell both agreed to spend the season on loan with the Whites. Winger Largie Ramazani and left-back Isaac Schmidt were also secured from Almeria and FC St Gallen respectively.
With the transfer activity now put to rest until January, the focus on on-field matters has been welcomed. As it stands, with the promotion push set aside for the next fortnight after the first international break of the season arrived, Farke’s men are sat in fourth place in the Championship table and remain unbeaten in their four league fixtures during the first month of the season. Farke’s men showed real signs of life when goals from Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe helped see off the Tigers in front of over 36,500 supporters at a buoyant Elland Road.
Be the first to comment