Leeds United made nine signings over the summer transfer window following their brush with relegation last time around. The Whites recognised the need to add to their squad over the off-season and they moved swiftly to strengthen their ranks and provide much needed depth.
The likes of Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca and Tyler Adams have been key men under Jesse Marsch so far this season, while Darko Gyabi and Sonny Perkins have shown heaps of promise. Others, it’s fair to say, have been slow burners, but as United enter the World Cup break, with 14 Premier League games played, they have every right to be pleased with the additions they made through the summer months.
Here, Leeds Live rates how those players have settled in so far.
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Brenden Aaronson
The American was the first player Leeds signed, pushing the button on his deal just a few days after survival was confirmed against Brentford. After a promising pre-season campaign, Aaronson hit the ground running in a white shirt, with an eye-catching showing against Wolves on the opening day. He was Leeds’ best player that day and the same could be argued a fortnight later when the Whites saw off Chelsea at Elland Road.
Aaronson has had days where he has struggled to make an impact, but he’s been consistent with his energy and intensity, fitting perfectly into Marsch’s style of play. He was a livewire in the loss to Arsenal and he terrified Liverpool at Anfield, too.
The 22-year-old’s age suggests the best is still to come from him, but he’s been an undeniable hit in West Yorkshire, so far.
Rating: 7.5/10
Rasmus Kristensen
Kristensen found the going tough during his first month at Elland Road. The Denmark international looked to be struggling with the pace and the pressure of the Premier League following his switch from Red Bull Salzburg, and his performances led him to pick up a bit of criticism.
However, the 25-year-old seemed to turn a corner after the September international break, building confidence with strong showings against Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Arsenal, keeping the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Gabriel Martinelli confident along the way. He struggled against Bournemouth, but that was a blip in what has been a fine run of games.
Kristensen continues to build into life at Elland Road and he could be one to watch in the second half of the season.
Rating: 6.5/10
Marc Roca
The Spanish midfielder arrived from Bayern Munich with the aim of getting his career back on track and he’s done that by playing a key role for the Whites this season so far. He looked the part in the early stages of the season, despite appearing to lack fitness, and his partnership with Tyler Adams has been one of Leeds’ success stories this season.
Roca still has plenty of room to grow, and he’ll be keen to build up his consistency in the middle of the park, but his passing has been excellent, more often than not, and his work rate has never been in question.
Rating: 7/10
Darko Gyabi
The youngster is still waiting to make a Premier League debut, but after excelling in the U21s side, he was handed a senior bow in the Carabao Cup loss to Wolves last week and he’ll be keen to build on that moving forward into the New Year. Leeds splashed £5million to sign Gyabi from Manchester City and his U21s performances have been enough to understand why.
He has made Michael Skubala’s side tick in the Premier League 2 so far and Marsch will be watching his development closely.
Rating: 8/10
Tyler Adams
Arguably Leeds’ best summer recruit. Adams has had a key role to play in most things the Whites have done well this year and that’s no exaggeration. The American had big shoes to fill at Elland Road, coming in to effectively replace Kalvin Phillips, but he has managed to make the role his own and pick up plenty of plaudits for his performances.
Adams produced player of the match-worthy displays in wins over Chelsea and Liverpool, with his dogged tenacity and pressing in the middle of the pitch being pivotal. He struggled against Tottenham Hotspur last time out, though, and the red card he received means he will miss the visit of Manchester City in December.
Rating: 8/10
Luis Sinisterra
Sinisterra has been one of Leeds’ biggest threats this season, of that there is no doubt. He’s bagged three goals in all competitions and he’s had enough about him to strike fear into almost every team he’s faced.
Unfortunately, though, he just hasn’t had enough minutes on the field, missing games through both injury and suspension. He’s started just six Premier League matches for United, but he’ll have a huge role to play when he returns from his foot injury on the other side of the World Cup break.
Rating: 7/10
Sonny Perkins
To say Perkins hit the ground running at Elland Road would be an understatement. The forward found the back of the net eight times in his first seven appearances for the U21s and his goals have created plenty of excitement around the fanbase.
Ultimately, he is still waiting to make a Premier League appearance for Leeds, but he impressed on his first-team bow for the club last week at Wolves and, as he continues to train with Marsch’s senior squad, he’ll be aiming to push the likes of Joe Gelhardt, Wilfried Gnonto and even Patrick Bamford, who are ahead of him in the pecking order, all the way.
Rating: 8/10
Joel Robles
Robles was brought in to be Leeds’ experienced back-up and by all accounts he has ticked all the boxes since signing in August. The former Wigan and Everton keeper has only featured twice, once for the U21s at Bolton Wanderers and once for the first-team at Wolves, but he has provided competition for Illan Meslier and Kristoffer Klaesson.
Rating: N/A
Wilfried Gnonto
Gnonto has had to be patient since making the move to Elland Road from FC Zurich, but over the last few weeks it seems he has finally managed to establish himself within Marsch’s plans. He made a difference off the bench on his debut at Anfield and that gave the head coach the confidence to look his way at half-time versus Bournemouth.
The Italian international played a decisive role in Leeds’ comeback at Elland Road that day and he was rewarded with a first start at Spurs. Unfortunately, his full debut didn’t go as planned and he was replaced at half-time, but he’ll be involved on a regular basis moving forward, it seems.
Gnonto has also played on a handful of occasions for the U21s, bagging his first goal for the club against Sunderland.
Rating: 7/10
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