**Leeds United added 10 new players in the summer, taking their spending to over £100 million. And even with fans disgruntled over how the window ended, the signings have been mixed.**
Early in the season, there were standout performers, especially Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff. The two midfielders quickly seized spots in the starting lineup and contributed to the early run of form before the drop-off. Others quietly settled into life at West Yorkshire and have been a big part of the team moving forward; Gabriel Gudmundsson being one of them. The Swedish international has slotted in perfectly at left back and has been a consistent performer.
Jaka Bijol made his way into the lineup getting to the end of the year, and proved why the club spent a lot on him. He is now a big part of the back three Daniel Farke has been using recently.
49ers signing now an important piece at Leeds United
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Other signings took a while before they even got a chance in the first team – Sebastiaan Bornauw was even left out of matchday squads at a point. But during the fixture congestion near the end of the year, he had the chance to step up. His performances against Liverpool and Manchester United alone showed the quality the Belgian possesses.
Over the last few weeks, one player who has seen his importance increase in this team has been James Justin. Signed late in the window, many questioned his use when he was only limited to cameos off the bench early in the season. Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson were rarely injured so he had to wait for his chance, and since then he has delivered. He has been great filling in at fullback, and now has been chosen to deputize in the back three. Daniel Farke relies on the former Leicester man ahead of natural center back Sebastiaan Bornauw.
Player management will be key as season goes on
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Seeing how players have been going in and out of the squad since January, Daniel Farke must learn how to manage them properly. The job has become even difficult after Leeds failed to add reinforcements to the team during the January window. The 49ers are banking on this current group to stay injury-free to finish the campaign, which means Farke must wisely rotate and make team selections. He has to use the full depth of the squad, and this is where player like Bornauw, Justin and Gruev will be important as the campaign goes on.
