Leeds United’s recruitment in the summer transfer window was always going to be vital if the club were to secure survival in the Premier League during the 2025/26 campaign.
Daniel Farke was handed over £90m worth of funds to make the changes he desired, with various areas of the first-team squad at Elland Road being bolstered as a result.
Anton Stach was signed for a reported £17m from German side Hoffenheim, with such a deal already appearing to be a huge bargain given his importance to the side.
Anton-Stach
He’s already racked up 21 league appearances for the Whites this season, even registering six combined goals and assists - including a superb free-kick against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
However, such a tally in the attacking third has been blown away by one player, who’s already exceeded the expectations of the entire fanbase during his time at Elland Road.
The stats behind Calvert-Lewin’s success at Leeds in 2025/26
After promotion from the Championship, it was evident that Leeds required added firepower, that’s despite striker Joel Piroe ending the previous campaign on 19 goals.
The hierarchy subsequently completed the free transfer of forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin after the Englishman was released by fellow Premier League side, Everton.
Calvert-Lewin
Whilst questions were raised over his fitness issues at the time of his arrival in Yorkshire, it’s safe to say the 28-year-old has silenced his critics - as seen by his tally of 10 goals to date.
Such a tally is the highest of any player in Farke’s current squad, but his underlying stats also make for good reading, whilst also highlighting his importance to the manager’s system.
Calvert-Lewin has won 4.1 aerials per 90 so far this campaign, with such a tally the highest in the squad - allowing for the Whites to have a dominant target man in their quest for survival.
He’s also registered 1.2 shots on target per 90 this campaign - also the highest of any player in the squad - with his clinical nature in front of goal currently vital in Leeds’ efforts to beat the drop.
The former Leeds star who’s worth more than Calvert-Lewin
After the previous relegation from the Premier League and failure to secure an immediate return to the top-flight, Leeds were often forced to offload numerous crucial first-team members.
The likes of Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter were all sold by the hierarchy at Elland Road, with the club bringing over £100m worth of funds from such deals.
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However, there’s no doubt that if the aforementioned trio were still on the books, they would all be regular starters under Farke in his attempt to secure survival.
Even in the earlier days in the Championship, the club was home to numerous top-level talents, but financial constraints saw the club have to part ways with them to avoid financial penalties.
Left-back Leif Davis was a player who was tipped to have a huge future at Elland Road, but unfortunately for the fanbase, they haven’t been able to witness him at the peak of his powers.
Former Leeds left-back Leif Davis
He joined the Whites for a minimal fee from Morecambe back in 2018, with many expecting the youngster to link up with the club’s academy setup at first.
However, he was often handed multiple chances to impress under the iconic Marcelo Bielsa, as seen by his tally of five appearances during his debut year in Yorkshire.
Despite many people tipping him to be a monster hit in the club’s first-team, he would depart on a permanent basis just four years later, subsequently joining Ipswich Town for £1m after making just 15 appearances for the club.
Such a decision now appears to be a huge mistake, with the 26-year-old producing some phenomenal numbers during his time as a regular starter at Portman Road.
Davis has now racked up a total of 152 appearances for the Tractor Boys since his move, with his creativity in the final third catching the eye despite his defensive role.
Leif-Davis-Ipswich
The full-back has now registered 36 assists, often being seen as a reliable option to deliver the ball into the opposition box and allow those ahead of him to find the back of the net.
Such a quality would have been perfect for current first-team star Calvert-Lewin, with David arguably having the perfect skillset to operate in an advanced wing-back role.
Leif Davis - Championship stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Cross accuracy
Chances created
Big chances created
Pass accuracy
Dribble success
Long ball accuracy
However, as a result of his tremendous form away from Elland Road, his market value has soared in recent months, with the defender now valued at £17m by Transfermarkt.
Such a valuation is way higher than talisman Calvert-Lewin, who’s still only valued at £12.5m despite his recent flurry of goals in England’s top-flight.
leif-davis-ipswich-town
The aforementioned figures highlight that the Whites certainly let the youngster depart for a bargain fee and one that was way below his true valuation.
Davis could have easily been a key member of the squad in 2025/26, with their loss now evidently being a gain to the likes of Kieran McKenna and Ipswich.
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