Leeds United player ratings for the season so far after a strong start in the Premier League.
The 2025-26 Premier League season is seven games old and it’s been a promising start for Leeds United, who have proven they can compete in the top flight.
Though Daniel Farke’s side haven’t been able to convert every good performance into three points, Leeds sit 15th in the table with eight points to their name.
The Whites would be even higher if they were more clinical and hadn’t conceded some agonising late goals, but there have been a lot of good signs in the opening stages.
Fans will be hoping for more from other players as a crucial chunk of the season approaches and here are Leeds United News’ player ratings for the campaign so far.
Lucas Perri – 5
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
It’s not been a great start to life for Leeds’ expensive goalkeeper Lucas Perri, who has managed to play just three games due to injury.
The Brazilian conceded five goals and made some errors as Leeds were smashed by Arsenal, but kept clean sheets in his other games against Everton and Newcastle United. With Karl Darlow playing well, he might not get straight back into the side.
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Jayden Bogle – 8
With Leeds having to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League, Jayden Bogle hasn’t been quite as explosive going forward but the quality of his deliveries means he has still been involved in creating goals. His defensive stats have been impressive though, with Bogle having the most tackles and interceptions in the squad.
He has been given some tough tasks against the Premier League’s higher-calibre of winger but is holding his own on his return to the top division.
Gabriel Gudmundsson – 7
In some ways, Gabriel Gudmundsson has been Leeds’ best summer signing, with the Swedish left-back ensuring Junior Firpo has not been missed and has immediately settled into life in England. He is resolute at the back and energetic going forward.
Yet, he has made two catastrophic mistakes that have directly led to goals in his last-gasp own-goal vs Fulham and then his misjudgement of a long ball against Spurs. Those dropped points are on his head and could be very costly.
Ethan Ampadu – 7.5
If anything, Ethan Ampadu looks more at home in the Premier League than the Championship. The captain struggled with injury last year and often played at centre-back, but has really come into his own in the base of a midfield three in Farke’s new system this season.
Ampadu’s lack of finesse on the ball can be an issue at times, but his positioning and robust challenges have made Leeds incredibly tough to break through.
Pascal Struijk – 8
Many expected Pascal Struijk to be out of the team following the summer signings but he has kept his place and deservedly so. The Dutchman has looked comfortable in the Premier League and didn’t put a foot wrong until the defeat to Tottenham.
Perhaps he will struggle against the best sides, but he has justified his inclusion so far.
Joe Rodon – 9
Joe Rodon has picked up exactly where he left off last season, being an imperious rock for Leeds at the back. Commanding, strong and clever, the Welshman is leading the defence and ensuring the Whites are not conceding buckets of chances. He even got his first Premier League goal, too.
Dan James – 3
Injury problems have limited flying winger Dan James to just three starts so far, and he wasn’t very effective as an attacking outlet in any of them, with Leeds scoring just once and from the penalty spot. He is missed but will need to improve when back to full fitness.
Sean Longstaff – 8.5
At £15m, Sean Longstaff is already proving to be a bargain buy for Leeds United. The combative midfielder is playing like he wants to make up for lost time after years of playing second fiddle at Newcastle.
He has brought energy, resilience and Premier League know-how to the midfield as expected, but has also provided a surprising level of class on the ball and has been an attacking threat. It says a lot when he’s keeping Ao Tanaka out of the side.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 7
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been doing a lot of good stuff since coming into the side. His goal against Wolves was sublime, for one, and he is bringing the hold-up play and smart movement Leeds need from a striker.
However, Calvert-Lewin is missing far too many golden chances when Leeds are on top in games. If he doesn’t start taking them, Leeds won’t score enough goals to survive.
Joel Piroe – 3
Last year’s Championship Golden Boot winner has started just twice and is yet to score. He will be hoping for a chance if Calvert-Lewin continues to squander opportunities, though.
Brenden Aaronson – 6.5
Perhaps the surprising success story of the season so far is Brenden Aaronson. Fans wanted him gone in the summer and certainly didn’t want him starting any games when it became clear he was staying.
Yet, the American has played in every game, is winning more duels than anyone else and is continuing to work extremely hard out on the flank. He was even sharp in an attacking sense against Spurs.
He doesn’t offer enough cutting-edge going forward but is justifying his spot in the side of late.
Lukas Nmecha – 5
Scored the important penalty against Everton to get the first win on the board but has done little else since.
Jaka Bijol – 2
With no Premier League appearance to his name yet and his debut coming in the Carabao Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, it’s not been the start Jaka Bijol imagined.
The centre-back has been unable to dislodge Rodon or Struijk as of yet and has expressed his frustration over a lack of playing time.
Anton Stach – 7.5
It’s been a bright start from Leeds’ big-money summer signing, Anton Stach, but you get the sense he is capable of much more.
His stunning free-kick vs Wolves and some flashes of quick touch play show he has the potential to bring real attacking quality in midfield areas, but he hasn’t been involved enough in every game so far. However, his physicality and defensive nous have ensured the midfield trio is extremely strong.
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty ImagesNoah Okafor – 7.5
It took Noah Okafor a bit of time to get up to speed, but he’s now looking like the side’s biggest threat on the left wing. His two goals make him the club’s top scorer and he has shown real tenacity with his attacking play, as he is confident and capable of beating defenders with his skills and pace. Like Stach, he could get even better, too.
Jack Harrison – 4
Jack Harrison stayed at Leeds, much to every supporter’s chagrin, and is getting more game time than anyone expected. He is yet to do anything of note on the wing when brought on by Farke as he aims to win back the fans’ approval.
Ao Tanaka – 3
Last year’s star of the show has hardly featured this season. Ao Tanaka started the two opening games of the campaign but then picked up a knock and has been unable to get back into the starting XI since. Tanaka himself has admitted he needs to do more.
Sebastiaan Bornauw – 2
Like Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw is yet to see a single minute of league action.
James Justin – 2
Has only been used as a late substitute so far.
Sam Byram – 3
Has played two games, but looked in good nick in his start against Sheffield Wednesday.
Karl Darlow – 6.5
Has come back into the side following Perri’s injury and has not looked out of his depth in the Premier League, as might have been feared. Though he has conceded six goals in four league games and hasn’t kept a clean sheet, the goals haven’t been his fault and he has made a string of strong saves.
His terrible mistake against Wednesday does his rating some damage, though.
Willy Gnonto – 4
Willy Gnonto has also struggled with injury in the early stages of the campaign and didn’t offer much in his few starts so far.
Ilia Gruev – 5
Unexpectedly started in two of the first three games and worked hard in midfield but is clearly not as good as the current trio.