Leeds United had a relatively quiet transfer window in January, opting to retain all of their key players while not adding any new faces in their bid for Championship promotion.
With just a few months remaining in the 2024/25 season, there’s cautious optimism that this decision not to pursue fresh signings won’t come back to haunt Daniel Farke, especially with a Premier League return looking increasingly likely.
The Whites are currently top of the Championship, with only 15 matches left to play. A significant dip in form would be required to replicate last season’s heartbreak at Wembley, where they missed out on promotion.
Despite losing several key players after their play-off final defeat, Farke has done a remarkable job of rebuilding the squad, ensuring they are more than capable of winning the league title.
The core of the team has largely remained intact, a factor that has undoubtedly contributed to their recent success on the pitch. Farke’s work at Elland Road deserves considerable praise for this.
Leeds United’s Midfield in 2024/25
Following high-profile departures like Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray last summer, Leeds had funds to strengthen across the squad, with the central midfield area notably benefitting.
Ao Tanaka joined from Fortuna Düsseldorf for £3.5m in a deal that surprised many, but the Japanese midfielder has quickly become a regular starter. He has featured in 28 of 31 league matches this season, often partnering team captain Ethan Ampadu, who has returned to action after recovering from a knee injury.
Joe Rothwell, initially brought in on loan from Bournemouth as a backup, has made a significant impact, earning a spot in Farke’s starting XI. He too has made 28 league appearances, underscoring his importance to the team.
Together with the aforementioned duo, Bulgarian midfielder Ilia Gruev, who has also battled injuries this season but recently returned, adds further depth to the squad, showcasing the team’s strength in numbers.
A Former Leeds Player Whose Value Has Plummeted
At one point, midfielder Ronaldo Vieira was seen as one of Leeds’ brightest prospects, destined to play a key role in their future Premier League push. He broke onto the scene in the 2016/17 season, making 38 appearances as an 18-year-old, impressing with performances well beyond his years and scoring his first professional goal in a win against Norwich City.
His former teammate Gaetano Berardi spoke highly of him, saying, “He is a calm boy, but on the pitch, he is very good, he is strong, he is a little dog. He is worth a lot, trust me.”
Vieira followed up his breakout season with another solid campaign in 2017/18, featuring 32 times, but Leeds ended the season in 13th place, falling short of a play-off spot. That summer, Victor Orta made the decision to cash in on the young midfielder, selling him to Italian club Sampdoria for £7m—a move that disappointed many fans at the time, but has since proven to be the right call.
Now 26, Vieira has struggled with injuries, stalling his progress at the top level. He remains at Sampdoria, who are currently in Serie B, but has only managed to make over 20 appearances in a season once in the past seven years. As a result, his market value has dropped significantly.
Vieira’s Stats for Sampdoria in Serie B (2024/25)
Games Played: 11
Goals & Assists: 0
Pass Accuracy: 78%
Errors Leading to Goals: 1
Duel Success Rate: 41%
Fouls Committed: 14
Successful Dribbles: 2
According to Transfermarkt, Vieira is now valued at just £300k—a drop of over 95% from his previous market value. In hindsight, Orta’s decision to sell him when they did has proven to be the right one, despite the initial backlash from fans.
While Vieira still has time to turn his career around, it’s clear he hasn’t reached the heights many expected after his promising debut at Leeds. It’s unfortunate that injuries have prevented him from fulfilling his potential, but Leeds’ management can take pride in making a wise decision at the time.
Now valued at just £300k: Orta struck gold selling Leeds star who was “worth a lot” – opinion
