At the beginning of the season there were big fears for Leeds United. Given his record in the Premier League, Daniel Farke was set to be sacked just a matter of months into the new season and after a transfer window where they had hardly lavishly spent, it did not bode well.
Yet, in actual fact, Leeds got it spot on. In Dominic Calvert-Lewin they signed a Premier League-proven striker on a free transfer.
Dominic-Calvert-Lewin-1
His goals arguably kept the Whites in the division. However, so did Farke's tactics. Much to everybody's surprise, he is still in charge of the Elland Road side and deservedly so. There were even shouts for the German to get the Manager of the Season award.
On reflection, Leeds' summer window of a year ago was really impressive. Alongside Calvert-Lewin they signed a number of physical specimens who would take to the hardened Premier League with ease.
The strategy this time around will be interesting to see.
Premier League player keen on joining Leeds
Last summer, Calvert-Lewin was the exception to the rule. The striker aside, the Whites ignored proven talent from English shores in favour of another strategy.
Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates scoring their second goal-1
A year on and it looks they may repeat that Calvert-Lewin masterclass. Looking to cement themselves long-term as a top-flight outfit, it makes sense to look towards those who already ply their trade in English football.
It explains links to Chelsea's Liam Delap as they go in search of a big-money forward to bolster their firepower. He's not the only player who could arrive from one of the divisions 'top six' clubs.
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[He's another Ampadu: Leeds plotting big move to sign a future "£60m player"](https://www.footballfancast.com/leeds-plot-move-to-sign-shea-charles-next-ethan-ampadu/ "He's another Ampadu: Leeds plotting big move to sign a future "£60m player"")
Leeds United could sign their next Ethan Ampadu from the EFL.
Indeed, according to Football Insider, the Yorkshire side could sign Harvey Elliott from Liverpool.
They report that Leeds are eyeing a move for the Reds attacker and in a boost for the Whites, he is keen on the idea of moving to Elland Road this summer.
harvey-elliott-aston-villa
Elliott's contract at Anfield expires in the summer of 2027 so Liverpool view this as the final opportunity to cash in. It's thought a £25m fee could be enough to take him to Leeds.
How Elliott could fit into the Leeds team
This would be a signing that simply ticks so many boxes for Leeds, even if the Englishman has had a wretched season. That, however, is not the player's fault.
Harvey-Elliott
Just under a year ago, Aston Villa signed the 23-year-old on loan but it was a move that simply did not go according to plan for any party.
He played just nine times during his loan spell in the Midlands. Why? Well, they were not keen on signing him permanently and due to a clause in the deal, they would be obliged to pay £35m for him if he played ten games.
Harvey Elliott at Aston Villa
Games
Goals
Assists
Minutes played
Trophies
As a result, Elliott barely featured under Unai Emery, scoring just once and failing to assist a single goal. That, however, does not paint the picture of just how special a talent the youngster is.
During the 2024/25 season, as he played second fiddle to Mohamed Salah on the right hand side of Liverpool's attack, he still scored five goals and registered three assists. He even found the net against eventual Champions League winners PSG. He bagged three goals in five European games that term.
It's difficult to judge Elliott too much for the way in which the last season has played out but he boasts an immense toolkit, one that Leeds' forward line, most notably Calvert-Lewin, would love.
Principally, this is a player who loves to get the ball forward as quick as possible. During the 2023/24 season, the Liverpool forward ranked among the top 3% of positionally similar players in Europe's top five leagues for expected threat in the build-up phases of play.
Expected Threat (xT) is a metric that quantifies how much a player's actions (like a pass or carry) increase their team's probability of scoring.
Furthermore, Elliott sat among the finest 11% of players on the continent for progressive actions. He made a whopping 9.77 forward passes per 90 in 2023/24, ranking him in the best 4%. He also completed 4.65 progressive passes per 90 minutes.
On that evidence, he could be a game-changing signing for Leeds. This is a player who could pick out Calvert-Lewin with ease and supply him with even more chances than he's already receiving.
Harvey Elliott celebrates for Liverpool
Boasting the ability to play behind the striker as a number 10 or on the right flank, there are plenty of positives to signing Elliott this summer.
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