After promotion from the Championship last season, it was also going to be vital that Leeds United invested well to ensure they secured survival in the Premier League.
Manager Daniel Farke was handed over £90m worth of funds to make the desired changes, resulting in ten senior additions being made during the summer window.
The German has done an excellent job in integrating the new arrivals into the squad at Elland Road, with the Whites now four points clear of the drop zone with seven games remaining.
Daniel Farke
His decision to switch to a 5-3-2 system has no doubt played a huge part in their current league standing, with his side only losing four of their last 18 league outings.
Such a switch has also allowed one player to reach the next level in Yorkshire, with his form in the top-flight this term undoubtedly crucial to the club’s survival hopes.
The stats behind Ethan Ampadu’s success in 2025/26
After playing 29 times in the Championship last season, club captain Ethan Ampadu was tasked with helping Leeds secure survival in the Premier League.
The Welsh international, who joined from Chelsea for £7m in 2023, has certainly risen to the occasion - subsequently cementing his place at the base of Farke’s midfield.
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He’s featured in all but three league games so far this campaign, with the 25-year-old producing some incredible numbers with and without the ball in England’s top-flight.
Ampadu has completed 85% of the passes he’s attempted this season, whilst also completing 67% of his attempted dribbles - often being the heartbeat for the Whites in possession.
Without the ball, he has been just as impressive for Farke’s side, subsequently coming out on top in 65% of the ground duels he’s entered throughout 2025/26.
The midfielder has made 2.5 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per 90, with the aforementioned figures allowing him to be the player who’s tasked with disrupting the opposition.
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As seen from the aforementioned stats, there’s no denying that Ampadu has been one of Leeds’ key performers in the Premier League throughout 2025/26 to date.
Ethan-Ampadu-1
However, the job of keeping the club in the top division is far from over, with Farke’s men still needing to work tirelessly to avoid an immediate return to the second tier.
The 49-year-old manager knows too well the task of getting out of such a division, subsequently taking the reins at Elland Road back in the summer of 2023 after relegation.
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Dropping into the Championship would be catastrophic for the Whites, as it would undo the excellent recruitment conducted by the board since promotion.
Relegation would see the majority of star players within the squad depart for pastures new, just as midfielder Tyler Adams did back in the summer of 2023.
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The American international spent just one year at Elland Road, amassing 28 appearances, but would depart for Bournemouth in order to continue his progression in the Premier League.
He’s since made 55 appearances for the Cherries since his transfer to the Vitality, with this season proving to be a real breakthrough for the 27-year-old.
His tremendous form has seen interest from Manchester United for his services, with his underlying stats also proving why he’s a better player than Ampadu at present.
Adams’ tally of 2.6 tackles and 1.8 interceptions made are both higher than those of the Welshman, with the latter ranking him in the top 6% of all players in the division.
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The American international also made more ball recoveries per 90 this campaign, which has arguably made him a better ball-winner than the club captain.
With the ball, he’s also been just as impressive, subsequently completing more passes per 90, whilst also achieving a higher pass completion rate to date.
Tyler Adams - PL stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Pass accuracy
Passes per 90
Tackles made
Interceptions made
Ball recoveries made
Clearances made
As a result of his tremendous showings at the Vitality, the 27-year-old has seen his market value soar, with the midfielder now valued at £21.6m by Transfermarkt.
His subsequent value is higher than every member of the Leeds squad at present, with summer addition Anton Stach the highest valued player at £20m.
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tyler-adams-leeds-united-transfer-gossip-burnley-josh-brownhill-farke
Undoubtedly, Leeds’ relegation forced them to offload Adams in the summer of 2023, but there’s no denying he’s a player who would massively improve the squad at present.
His ability at both ends of the pitch makes him a huge asset for Bournemouth, with the Whites faithful now left wondering what could have been for the American at Elland Road.
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