Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has told Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams they hold the key to Leeds United's success as they battle to avoid relegation. The Whites' performances have been decent enough in recent weeks but they've won just once in the Premier League since November.
That win coincided with Javi Gracia's first game in charge of Leeds against relegation rivals Southampton. The three points lifted the Whites out of the bottom three, but they were unable to build on that in the FA Cup away to Fulham.
When asked about Leeds' midfield this season, Richards told the BBC: "It's energy, it's tenacity and it's understanding. Obviously at the World Cup they had the trio with [Yunus] Musah as well, but since McKennie has come on loan from Juventus, I think he's made a difference.
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"You can see Adams is the one who drops a little bit deeper, more like the playmaker for the team. McKennie likes to get in these spaces here where he can drive the team on and drive the team up the field.
"These fans love people who work hard. This is one of my favourite clips, he has a little look to see if he's got help, he closes down and presses with a purpose, it's excellent.
"The quality will come. We know what he can do. He's got the anticipation, the way he receives that ball, but it's just a lack of quality there against Southampton at the weekend. He just needs to take care with his passing.
"Adams as well, he's a destroyer in there. I think in the Premier League he's got the third most tackles and he's won possession third as well so, these two Americans are pivotal to what Leeds need going forward."
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