While Victor Orta is much-revered for his time at Leeds United, but one thing the Spaniard did get right is his ability to sign young players that would live up to their potential.
Just look at Daniel Farke’s current side. Illan Meslier, Pascal Struijk, Wilfried Gnonto and Mateo Joseph were all signed during Orta’s reign from Lorient, Ajax, Zurich and Santander as complete unknowns.
In the past, Orta has also masterminded moves for Crysencio Summerville from Feyenoord for little over £1m. Charlie Crew looks like the next one off the ranks after joining Leeds from Welsh side Cardiff.
So Orta knew how to spot a young talent and either they would impress for Leeds, or they would turn a profit. But one player that Leeds brought in during Orta’s reign is now impressing in the Premier League.
Leeds sold defender for £1m and now he’s starring in top flight
Ipswich Town’s side is full of recognisable faces. Kalvin Phillips and Jack Clarke came through the Thorp Arch academy, while manager Kieran McKenna and Sammie Szmodics will be known to Leeds supporters.
Another is left-back Leif Davis. The 24-year-old has helped Ipswich go from League One to the top tier in the space of three seasons, surpassing 100 appearances earlier this month after his £1m move to Ipswich.
In that time, Davis has laid on a huge 37 assists and scored six goals. Promotion to the Premier League has not stopped Davis from shining, scoring earlier this month and helping Ipswich win 2-1 at Tottenham.
Not only that, but Davis has created a huge 27 chances in the Premier League from his 11 appearances. It is by far and away, the most of any Premier League defender, and the sixth-highest of all players.
Lee Carsley overlooked Leif Davis for England, it won’t be long
England lack many options at left-back and Davis could help fill that void. Barry Douglas even predicted an England call-up for Davis earlier this season, but he is yet to win such honours with the Three Lions.
Chances created by Premier League players this season
| Name | Club | Games | Chances created | Goals | Assists |
| Andreas Pereira | Fulham | 11 | 30 | 1 | 0 |
| Dejan Kulesevski | Tottenham | 11 | 30 | 2 | 2 |
| Cole Palmer | Chelsea | 11 | 29 | 7 | 5 |
| Bukayo Saka | Arsenal | 10 | 28 | 3 | 7 |
| Dwight McNeil | Everton | 10 | 27 | 3 | 3 |
| Leif Davis | Ipswich | 11 | 27 | 1 | 2 |
| Youri Tielemans | Aston Villa | 11 | 25 | 0 | 3 |
Thomas Tuchel though, will be watching England’s games over the next international break and he will be aware that a left-back is required. Davis is easily the best-performing English left-back at the moment.
Davis has even crated more chances than Tottenham’s Pedro Porro and Trent Alexander-Arnold who are next best in terms of top-flight defenders, creating 20 apiece. Easy to say now, but Leeds made a mistake.
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