Ask most Leeds United fans for the best signing of the club’s summer transfer window, and the majority will reply with midfielder Sean Longstaff.
It took Leeds four bids to finally get a deal over the line to sign Longstaff from Newcastle in the summer. But eventually, Eddie Howe’s side reluctantly accepted an initial £12m for Longstaff, and £3m in add-ons.
Danny Murphy claims Leeds have gazumped the rest of the Premier League with the addition of Longstaff and despite the midfielder failing to start in Leeds’ first two games, he has since proven Murphy right.
Two man-of-the-match performances have followed in his first five starts in the Premier League for Leeds, the first coming in his first league start against Newcastle. A goal and an assist against Bournemouth.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty ImagesSean Longstaff tells Adam Pope if he’s made the right decision
Longstaff is now up there with being indispensable for Leeds, one of the first names on the team sheet with the likes of Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Jayden Bogle. The midfielder has been superb so far.
Whether that be making tackles in his own half, or slamming one into the top corner, or answering Leeds’ lack of a set-piece taker. Longstaff has been excellent, but does he feel he made the right decision?
He told BBC Radio Leeds’ Adam Pope that he is confident he made the right decision: “Whenever people have asked, I’ve not really spoken about the football but more about how good the people have been.
“How good everyone around the club has been. So far, it’s been really enjoyable. Really good decision. I’ve really enjoyed, pretty much, every second I’ve been here. Hopefully, that continues for a long time.”
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
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Sean Longstaff is Leeds United’s best-rated player, joint-first
The stats are there for all to see. Longstaff has attempted the second-most tackles in the Premier League behind Wolves’ midfielder Joao Gomes, despite playing the best part of 200 minutes less than Gomes.
In terms of Leeds’ best players this season, Longstaff is joint-first alongside Anton Stach with a rating of 7.18. Ultimately, if Leeds are going to stay up this season, Longstaff is going to play a massive role.
Not just with his performances on the pitch, but as a leader too. Stach has already discussed how Longstaff is becoming a leader in this Leeds side, calling a huddle against Bournemouth being proof.