Leeds United’s position at the top of the Championship table is narrow. The Whites are only two points ahead of second-placed Sheffield United, but their unbeaten run remains impressive, with Daniel Farke’s side having gone 14 Championship matches without a loss since the end of November.
The playoffs are virtually secured for Leeds, as they have a gap of over 20 points from the team in sixth place, ensuring they’ll likely make the postseason. However, with a seven-point difference to fourth, the battle for automatic promotion and the league title will be intense.
To achieve promotion this season and follow in the footsteps of Marcelo Bielsa’s legacy, Farke will need his attacking players to perform at their best.
Leeds’ Attacking Form
Leeds have enjoyed some dominant victories this season, with the standout being their 7-0 demolition of Cardiff City at Elland Road. This match perfectly showcased the attacking prowess that has defined the Whites this season.
One of the most exciting players has been Daniel James. The Welshman has netted 10 goals and provided 6 assists from the wing, with his pace—clocked at 35.67 km/h—posing a serious threat to opponents.
Joel Piroe has also been in sensational form. The 25-year-old Dutch striker has scored 14 goals across all competitions, more than any of his teammates, and has contributed 6 assists. He even bagged two goals in the crushing victory over Cardiff.
Other key contributors like Wilfried Gnonto and Brenden Aaronson have each provided 10 goals and assists this season. Leeds’ attackers are firing on all cylinders.
Farke will be hoping for continued form from these players, as their attacking strength will be crucial to their promotion hopes. However, Leeds fans may feel a sense of longing for a former star who has since become a global sensation.
The Former Leeds Star Sold for a Massive Profit
It’s not every day that a football legend like Romario praises you as “one of the best in the world,” but that’s what the Brazilian great said about former Leeds star Raphinha, who has been outstanding at Barcelona since his move from Elland Road two and a half years ago.
The 28-year-old winger has been exceptional for Barcelona this season, but he made his name during his time at Leeds. Although he spent just two seasons with the club, Raphinha’s impact was immense.
In 67 appearances for Leeds, Raphinha scored 17 goals and recorded 12 assists, all in the Premier League. His contributions were vital to the club’s survival in the top flight, including a crucial final-day goal against Brentford to seal a 2-1 victory that kept them up.
Raphinha’s Premier League Record for Leeds
Stats from Transfermarkt
After moving to Barcelona in 2022, Raphinha only showed flashes of his best form at first, but under coach Hansi Flick this season, he has been unstoppable. With 24 goals and 15 assists in just 35 games, including a Champions League hat-trick against Bayern Munich, he has truly reached another level.
Selling Raphinha, though disappointing, was almost inevitable. However, Victor Orta, the former director of football at Leeds, negotiated a fantastic deal, securing a £55m transfer fee for a player originally bought for £17m from Rennes in 2020. This represented a remarkable profit of 224%, a great business move for the club.
If Farke had Raphinha at his disposal now, Leeds might have an even greater lead at the top of the Championship. The team would certainly be more formidable with the player that Marcelo Bielsa once called “special” in their ranks.
Sold for 224% profit: Orta struck gold over Leeds star who Bielsa thought was “special”
