The ratings are the bane of any match-covering football journalist because invariably they are ‘wrong’ or ‘too generous’ or ‘too harsh’ and entirely subjective. But even in the digital-era of football reporting, the ratings remain as popular as ever with readers and fans, either because everyone loves to shout at a journalist or because they love to weigh their estimations up against those that come out of the press box.
This year, as they do every year, the ratings averaged out for each individual Leeds United player painted a picture of who most consistently stood out in games across the season. As a ranking system it’s far from perfect because a player who shines in cameos off the bench does not have the same task as a player who is solid but unspectacular as a starter. A player can pick up an 8 out of 10 against an already-relegated opposition at home while another can be a solid, valuable 7 out of 10 away from home in a hard-fought draw against elite opposition. Contributions are all important, everyone does their bit and plays their part.
When the full picture emerges those at the top tend to be the players who were in the running for the end-of-season awards. Perhaps how best to view an average rating is to consider them outside of any squad-wide ranking or comparison and just put the number next to the name. Some of them feel very right. A few might be a tad generous or a tad the other way. In any case, a 6 out of 10 performance across a Premier League season isn’t bad - anything close to a 7 is really very impressive. And as luck would have it, the man ranked first - albeit on the merit of a couple of decimal places in what is otherwise a three-way tie for first - is the man who did pick up all the awards.
What the ratings also show is that Leeds’ summer 2025 recruitment was absolutely vital to their success on the pitch this season. Just look at the ratings of some of the new signings, who bedded in so quickly in a new country and in the world’s toughest proving ground. So here are the averages. All of them entirely correct.
7. Sebastiaan Bornauw - 6.4
Steady away. Had a few niggles to contend with, was fourth or sometimes fifth-choice centre-back and used sparingly by Farke. When he played he was largely solid if unspectacular. | Getty Images
8. Sean Longstaff - 6.4
Started the season well, came up with some big goals but fell down the pecking order after injury halted his momentum and couldn't get back into the starting XI. | Getty Images
9. Brenden Aaronson - 6.4
There were some massive high points and some real lows too. His effort and defensive contribution was never in doubt but at times his decision making or execution in the final third let him down. Still, four Premier League goals and five assists - he definitely played his part. | AFP via Getty Images
10. Lukas Nmecha - 6.4
Not bad for a freebie. The striker struggled at times to do the hold-up stuff that DCL excels in, but he created chaos in his own way and took goalscoring chances really well. Seven goals and three assists was a very decent return. | Getty Images
11. Lucas Perri - 6.45
The big Brazilian was unable to shine with consistency and then lost his number one spot. The FA Cup at least offered redemption with those penalty saves. | Getty Images
12. Ilia Gruev - 6.5
For most of the season he was steady, unspectacular. A few times he was unable to step up and deliver what Leeds needed. Against Forest at home he was unbelievable. Injury curtailed his season early. | AFP via Getty Images