Leeds have struck gold on Farke’s best player

Leeds United supporters will be expecting their beloved side to improve on their 14th final position last season in the Premier League when the brand new campaign gets underway.

It was an impressive return to the top-flight for the West Yorkshire giants, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a vital 14 goals this season just gone, to ensure relegation was never really on the cards.

They won’t want to rest on their laurels, though, as the dreaded sophomore slump could well engulf Elland Road, with the Whites flexing their muscles in the transfer market already, as they edge ever closer to snapping up Harry Wilson on a free transfer deal.

Collecting 17 goals and assists last campaign for Fulham, this is a statement-style purchase that will show the rest of the intense division that Leeds want to improve on their mid-table spot, rather than stagnate.

Alongside adding in some Premier League-recognised quality, Farke will be tempted by the prospect of adding Shea Charles to his talented group this off-season, with the ex-Manchester City youth player a standout performer last season for Southampton.

Why Leeds are so keen to sign Shea Charles

The Manchester-born midfielder won’t be arriving into the Leeds ranks for cheap this summer, if he walks away from Tonda Eckert’s side.

Indeed, reports suggest that Charles – who has a long-range bullet up his sleeve among many other standout attributes – would cost around the £23m mark to obtain, which is a big fee to splash out on a player who has only ever known the EFL, away from one senior Premier League appearance at the Etihad.

It’s a risky purchase that’s worth exploring from Leeds’ perspective, with the well-rounded number 24 averaging an 87% pass accuracy last season in the demanding second tier, alongside winning a tireless 4.7 duels per league match.

He would also surely love a move to Elland Road, looking at how much others have enhanced their game in such a short space of time in West Yorkshire, particularly under Farke’s watch.

Farke’s best player is now worth even more than Charles

While Calvert-Lewin stole a lot of the plaudits last campaign for his goalscoring prowess, Ethan Ampadu was arguably Leeds’ best player on their return to the promised land.

At the end of season awards, the Welsh battler would collect both the Player of the Year award and the Players’ Player of the Year accolade, showing off how popular he is within the West Yorkshire team’s camp.

He warranted this full sweep of the awards, as well, despite only amassing one goal and one assist all campaign long, with Ampadu allowing the Whites to tick from the central midfield positions, with 5.3 duels won on average per league contest, alongside averaging a calm and composed 86% pass accuracy.

Growing in confidence the more he dons the famous Leeds jersey, having first joined the ranks in the Championship, Ampadu will be delighted that he’s seen as a pivotal part of the first team, even if he’s not the flashiest performer.

Penning a new deal recently that keeps him situated in West Yorkshire until 2030, the 25-year-old warrior will head out onto the pitch next season wearing the Leeds armband with pride, and he could be joined by a new midfield teammate in the aforementioned Charles.

Charles’ value could well soar above Ampadu’s £25m valuation if he swaps St. Mary’s for Elland Road very soon, as the 22-year-old will be desperate to succeed in the big time, after leaving the luxury of Manchester behind in 2023.

As it stands, however, Ampadu is Leeds’ most valuable player, ahead of Charles’ reported price tag.

Whatever happens on the transfer front with Charles, Leeds fans will know their team can rely on their energetic captain to deliver top-notch performances from the middle of the park, as the Whites tweak here and there to try and prove that last campaign’s 14th place finish was just the beginning of their mission to become a mainstay in the Premier League.