The jury still remains out on Leeds United despite moving back into the top six again at Cardiff City.
Leeds ran out 2-0 winners in South Wales to make it three victories from their opening six matches, but it wasn’t the most overly enthralling of spectacles.
Against 10 men, Daniel Farke‘s side were very comfortable throughout. However, missed chances and a lack of tempo actually prompted some boos from Leeds’ travelling contingent.
Largie Ramazani marked his full Leeds debut with a goal, but Farke’s reluctance to use too many of his new signings raises question marks over whether the Whites are stronger this season than last.
Only Chelsea had a higher net spend than Leeds in the summer, as the club missed out on a handful of big name targets.
Paul Warne makes interesting Gustavo Hamer to Leeds claim
Angus Kinnear was happy to mention a couple of players Leeds tried to sign in a recent interview. Aston Villa’s Emi Buendia and Sheffield United’s Gustavo Hamer were the main two.
Hamer was actually public knowledge in the transfer window anyway. Leeds saw an offer of £13 million rejected by the Blades, with reports all suggesting they bid cash + Joel Piroe.
There were also claims Hamer agreed personal terms with Leeds and wanted to make the move to Elland Road, but a move never materialised.
Leeds have been made to regret their failed pursuit of Hamer after his start to the season. He has four goals and one assist already, including the winner against Derby County on Saturday.
Derby boss Paul Warne was actually asked whether he feels Hamer is the best player in the Championship after his goal at the weekend. He mentioned Leeds in what was an interesting response.
Via Sheffield Star, he said: “He’s a very good player who I was led to believe was getting sold to Leeds. I don’t know if that’s true but the best players get attention and get sold for millions and millions.
“I’d like to think that in the future one of my players will be linked with a £20m move. There are a lot of very good players [in the Championship] and he’s one of them.”
Hamer Championship stats vs Leeds’ midfield options
Based on his start to the season at Bramall Lane, Hamer feels like he would’ve been the missing piece. That goalscoring return from midfield shows how good he is at this level.
Hamer would have either played as a number eight or 10 had he joined Leeds. What a side Farke could’ve had with him in there.
| Player | Starts(sub) | Goals | Assists |
| Hamer | Six | 4 | 1 |
| Ethan Ampadu | Six | 0 | 0 |
| Ilia Gruev | Six | 0 | 0 |
| Brenden Aaronson | Four (two) | 2 | 1 |
| Ao Tanaka | None (three) | 0 | 0 |
| Joe Rothwell | None (six) | 0 | 0 |
Even after selling Glen Kamara, Leeds have not rectified their lack of goals from midfield. Brenden Aaronson has chipped in, but is more of a replacement for Georginio Rutter.
Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev are never going to be prolific. However, the latter is playing more further forward and so needs to be doing better.
Hopefully Ao Tanaka is the answer to Leeds’ problem once he gets a run of starts. But Hamer would’ve been the answer to so many issues.
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