Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, former Leeds defender Danny Mills in a circular inset
Credit: Imago/talkSPORT YouTube channel
Niall Togher
Wed 3 September 2025 14:10, UK
Leeds United’s disappointing deadline day left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth who is associated with the Elland Road club.
Leeds’ failed moves for Harry Wilson and Emi Buendia stunk of desperation as supporters began to wonder if the 49ers had even prepared for life in the Premier League.
Adam Underwood had come under fire for Leeds’ lack of transfer activity in the last week of the window, particularly in the final third.
Amid all this chaos at Elland Road, former Elland Road star Danny Mills gave his thoughts on that and Leeds‘ start to the season.
Emi Buendia playing for Aston Villa
Credit: Imago
Danny Mills predicts Leeds will struggle despite positive start
Alongside Underwood, Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe has also received criticism for the promises he failed to deliver upon in the final few weeks of the window.
Daniel Farke publicly stated he wanted one or two more attackers
Before Leeds’ game against Everton, Marathe claimed that United would be active in the last few weeks of the window
The only signing the Whites made after this claim was James Justin, who was brought in as full-back cover
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Up until at least January, Farke has been left short, particularly in the final third, with Mills predicting his former side will have “slumps” in form.
“If you said to Leeds United, you get four points from the first three games, we will take that”, the former England international told talkSPORT on 3 September.
“All the teams that came up have won a game. They have all started better than some people would have thought. I guess it will be very difficult for them, and they will have slumps.
“In another seven or eight games, the league will find a way to sort itself out. I expect the three teams that came up to be in the bottom seven or eight teams. It’s who can survive out of those.”
How have Leeds compared to Sunderland and Burnley after three Premier League games?
Going into the international break, not one of the three promoted sides are currently sitting in the relegation zone.
Although it’s early days and this is certainly bound to change, the data comparing the three promoted sides on the pitch makes for interesting reading after three games.
Leeds United, Sunderland and Burnley's data compared so far.
Credit: DataMB
No one would dispute that Sunderland had the best transfer window out of the promoted sides, and this looks to have directly benefited them on the pitch.
Despite Leeds being known for their goalscoring threat and possession-based style of play, whilst all three sides were in the second tier, this has taken a complete U-turn since the start of the Premier League campaign.
Leeds have been considerably the worst attacking side out of the newly promoted sides so far, and if United want to stay up, they have to carry more of a threat going forward.
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