Credit: Imago
Wed 3 September 2025 16:10, UK
Leeds United’s lack of spending on deadline day was nothing short of a disaster.
Paraag Marathe made promises that he couldn’t deliver on.
Adam Underwood proved to be completely out of his depth in his role as sporting director, and the Elland Road faithful’s outlook on the season has completely changed.
Despite this, there are some players for whom the lack of spending is beneficial towards as they will play more regularly, and have until at least January to prove that they deserve to start as Leeds fight to remain in the Premier League.
Credit: ImagoWilly Gnonto to become the main man
Gnonto, 21, has been underutilised by Farke at times during the German manager’s tenure in West Yorkshire.
Farke has always seemed to prefer Dan James to the Italian on that right-hand side, even when the Wales international has struggled for form at times.
Gnonto has started all three of United’s games so far off the left and has arguably been their most lively attacking threat from open play.
However, with Leeds’ signing of Noah Okafor, he will be expected to occupy that left flank eventually.
But with James seemingly struggling to adapt to the top flight again, Gnonto could find himself being a regular starter on the right wing this season.
Daniel Farke to be effectively given a free hit by Leeds fans
Farke has displayed certain tendencies that have annoyed members of the fanbase, and the German has been rightly criticised at times.
However, given the fanbase’s attitude towards the ownership, Farke is set to be let off the hook for his deficiencies as a manager due to the frustration with the 49ers taking precedent.
Farke not integrating Jaka Bijol in the starting XI, for example, is a mistake already made this season, but this has been vastly overshadowed by the lack of recruitment on deadline day.
If Farke is to be relegated with Leeds, the response will be ‘well, he wasn’t backed sufficiently in the window’, and this point would be hard to argue.
Credit: ImagoDominic Calvert-Lewin to be the main man up top
Although Calvert-Lewin’s movement has impressed so far in cameo appearances against Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle, his first touch and finishing have left a lot to be desired.
Nevertheless, with Joel Piroe being completely absent every time he has featured this season and Lukas Nmecha’s lack of goalscoring prowess, Calvert-Lewin is likely to develop into United’s first-choice striker.
- Given Calvert-Lewin’s form and injury record, he is extremely lucky to be given the opportunity he has been provided by Leeds this season
- The 28-year-old scored three goals in 19 Premier League starts last season
- He is likely to be Leeds’ main man moving forward for the current campaign
If Leeds splashed the cash on a striker, the former Evertonian would likely be playing a back-up role, but given the fact he was given the number nine, Calvert-Lewin has been presented by the 49ers as a marquee signing to Leeds’ supporters, and they should judge accordingly.
Sign up for the MOT Leeds News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking Leeds United news sent straight to your phone.