Squad depth was one of the many concerns throughout the summer window when it came to Leeds United. The ‘what ifs’ were numerous, although they centred more intensely around the number 10 position and centre-back, particularly on the right hand side where Joe Rodon is backed up only by a teenage prospect fresh out of the Under 21s. The what if that no one saw coming was a pair of knee injuries striking down both Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev in the space of a few days. That is what has been occupying minds in Leeds’ recruitment department and at Thorp Arch where Daniel Farke is back plotting solutions this week.
Should they decide to pull the trigger on a free agent move, Cheikhou Kouyaté is one of the names currently in the frame. A Premier League veteran of almost 300 appearances, an African Cup of Nations and Belgium top flight title winner and a ‘duel monster’ according to the YEP’s tactical analysis of what he would bring to Leeds. The 34-year-old is one of a small number of players Leeds have been looking at as they decide how best to protect Farke’s squad from the possibility of further injuries in midfield. Should either of Ao Tanaka or Joe Rothwell become unavailable then Farke’s next cab off the rank is highly-rated but unproven 18-year-old Charlie Crew.
The midfield puzzle appears to be the biggest current threat to Leeds’ promotion hopes because elsewhere, there are players playing very well and giving their side every chance of being right up there. If Leeds can keep Willy Gnonto fit he will terrorise the division, on recent evidence and any team with him, Largie Ramazani, Mateo Joseph, Brenden Aaronson, Joel Piroe et al should be in with a shout of getting a victory in just about any game. At the back, Pascal Struijk is reiterating his importance and Joe Rodon has been steady for the most part. The full-backs, Junior Firpo and Jayden Bogle, are creating danger and chances as well as popping up with goals. There is sufficient talent in the squad to make Leeds competitive and players sticking their hands in the air when it comes to big moments. You don’t need to work out the average of the YEP’s individual match ratings to pick out the star man, he’s that obvious, but we’ve gone ahead and done it anyway in order to rank the squad.
But there are a few caveats to keep in mind. Some players have earned but a couple of ratings - a player needs to be on the pitch for 15 minutes or so at least in order to earn one - and have therefore been ruled out of this ranking list. Isaac Schmidt, for example, has just one rating to his name - a 7 - and that would put him in a relatively unrealistic position in the list. Others may seem to be struggling when you take the rating alone into consideration, but a player with few minutes and just a handful of cameo appearances can find it hard to shine or hit his rhythm. That is especially true for strikers and attackers, thrown into games that have been a struggle for Leeds. The final caveat is that the ratings are entirely subjective. One man’s 8 out of 10 is another’s 6.5. What the ratings do, when averaged out across a number of games, is paint a picture of who is impressing, who is simply performing at a steady level and who has not yet been able to shine.
As for this season, so far, the ratings suggest that there is a lot more to come from Leeds. Without really hitting top gear consistently, they have put themselves in a decent position in the league and done enough to suggest the promotion bid is alive and well after almost a fifth of the Championship campaign.
1. Willy Gnonto - 7.3
Willy Gnonto is the star man, so far for Leeds United. His average rating of 7.3 points to a level of consistency but those three Man of the Match worthy performances in a row before the international break said something more about him. He's the main man right now. Long may it continue. | Getty Images
2. Junior Firpo - 7.1
Another man whose rating suggests consistency in performances. Firpo has been solid this season and dangerous going forward. He has nailed down the left-back spot as his own and keeping him fit will be crucial for Leeds. | Getty Images
3. Largie Ramazani - 6.8
The winger's impact has been relatively impressive with two goals and an assist from his four starts. Ramazani's fitness was a concern for Farke and an area to work on but he played 90 minutes at Sunderland and worked hard for the team. It definitely feels like there is a lot more to come, but he's an exciting addition as it stands. | Getty Images
4. Mateo Joseph - 6.7
It says a lot about a striker with one goal that his rating is so high. Joseph has been putting in a shift for the team, creating chances and linking play in important moments. He came out of the team for the Sunderland game, which was likely due to Farke's desire to protect the youngster in a busy period. Goals must come but he's doing the rest of it well. | Getty Images
5. Daniel James - 6.7
The Welsh winger has only played three games but his performances were of a good level and his pace was key for Leeds. The goal he scored against Sheffield Wednesday showcased just how vital that pace could be this season, but injury has kept him from action since then. | Getty Images
6. Pascal Struijk - 6.6
The big centre-back has continued to be such an important part of the way Leeds play out from the back. He could definitely do with another goal or two from set-pieces but he has been steady, which is probably why he's vice captain of the side and skipper in Ampadu's absence. Leading by example. | Getty Images