Set-pieces have been crucial for Leeds United this season, but a caveat to that was the club’s inability to find a set-piece taker with the required quality until Sean Longstaff popped up.
Failure to sign Harry Wilson on deadline day had fans concerned that the club had bought bigger players to prove a threat from set-pieces, but had failed to find a player who could deliver them for Daniel Farke.
At the beginning of the season, Anton Stach took them despite the German’s 6ft 4in presence. It was felt that he would be better in the box, underlying Leeds‘ inability to sign Wilson or another set-piece taker.
Then, out of nowhere, Longstaff started whipping them in. It has since seen Longstaff supply Joe Rodon with goals against Bournemouth and West Ham, and Rodon discussed set-pieces with Adam Pope.
Sean Longstaff takes a corner during Leeds United v West Ham United - Premier League
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Joe Rodon names Leeds’ four set-piece takers, but two don’t start
There is no doubt Longstaff has been one of Leeds’ best signings. Danny Murphy reckons Leeds outdid the rest of the Premier League with the addition of the Newcastle academy product, who joined for £15m.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Rodon said Longstaff has been “brilliant” before naming Leeds’ four set-piece takers. Naming Stach, Rodon also said Ilia Gruev and Jack Harrison, who rarely start under Farke.
“We have some great delivery, Sean has been brilliant. But we have Jack, Anton, Ilia who can deliver great balls. It’s about being in the right place, attacking those areas. The quality of delivery has been brilliant.”
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Longstaff is great, but Leeds would rather have him in the box
While Longstaff’s height is not as obvious as Stach’s, the summer signing is still well over 6ft, and he will have been identified as someone who can help from set-pieces. Leeds would rather he were in the box.
Ideally, Leeds would have signed Wilson and the Wales star would have been Leeds’ first-choice winger on the right ahead of Brenden Aaronson and Dan James. Wilson’s dead-ball quality is sensational.
Harry Wilson in action for Fulham during a Premier League clash against Leeds United
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With his Fulham contract due to expire next summer, there is every chance Leeds could renew their interest in Wilson come January. However, Marco Silva has made it clear he is desperate to keep Wilson.
Whether Leeds’ PSR position would allow a permanent purchase remains to be seen. But if Leeds are to maximise their threat from dead-ball situations, signing Wilson and having Longstaff in the box aids that.