The Daily Mail have claimed that Leeds United considered moves for new Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca, and
Southampton gaffer Russell Martin – before deciding Daniel Farke was the man for the job, at Elland Road.
Of course, Farke has been handed the job of returning Leeds to the top tier of English football again after Leeds were
relegated last season. But it was a long-winded process and many managers were spoken to by the club.
Scott Parker, Patrick Vieira and Steven Gerrard were just some of a number of managers in with a shout of the Leeds job.
Ultimately, the 49ers and Angus Kinnear went with Farke – a decision that has been praised by fans.
But The Mail report that Leeds also considered the two new managers of the fellow relegated sides from the Premier League.
In the form of Maresca, who has swapped being Pep Guardiola’s assistant at City, for Leicester.
He is highly rated, and has managed at senior level before – with Parma. Martin was also considered after the excellent work
he has done at Swansea, previously impressing as MK Dons boss. But Farke was Leeds’ choice.
Leeds considered Leicester boss Maresca, Southampton gaffer Martin
Farke, out of the three managers, is the one with the most-proven track record. A man that has not only gained promotion
the Championship on two occasions, but won it, with a Norwich side hardly the best of the lot.
Maresca will have pedigree. Leicester fans will be hoping that given Mikel Arteta has garnered success with Arsenal, surely
Pep’s next protege should be successful. Martin has done well, but is still a newbie. Farke is proven.
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Leeds: Imagine Karl Darlow & Cresswell
The Whites could be set to blend experience with promise and youth.
Leeds United seem to be closing in on their second signing of the summer window, once again set to bolster a key area of
weakness…
Is Karl Darlow joining Leeds?
That’s according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who suggests that Daniel Farke is seeking to aid Ethan Ampadu’s
pursuit to solve their defensive frailties by swooping for Newcastle United’s Karl Darlow
Taking to Twitter, the Italian journalist would suggest that AFC Bournemouth’s alternative signing has had a domino effect
in Yorkshire. He wrote: “Karl Darlow, now expected to join Leeds United from Newcastle as Bournemouth will go for Andrei
Radu.”
With just two years left on his £30k-per-week deal on Tyneside, and having seen chances limited since their signing of Nick
Pope, now marks the perfect time for the 32-year-old to branch out and stake a claim elsewhere to be number one.
How good is Karl Darlow?
Such a fine injection of experience and athleticism will be a huge coup for the Whites, who have likely been desperate to
replace Illan Meslier following his horror show last campaign.
The French shot-stopper posted a 6.65 average rating in the league, as a mainstay for a side that shipped the most goals in
the entire division (78). He also made three separate errors that led to goals, as if to exacerbate his failures, via Sofascore.
News suggesting he would depart this summer worried few, and given his replacement already seems tied up, he is likely
long-forgotten.
Whilst play time has been limited for Darlow, a six-month loan spell at Hull City clearly helped put him in the shop window
for this summer. Despite only featuring 12 times in the Championship for the Tigers, the ageing ace excelled.
Maintaining a 7.05 average rating, this was largely buoyed by his 2.9 saves per game, at a 71% success rate, via Sofascore. He
managed to keep five clean sheets during that period too, conceding just 1.2 goals per game. For comparison, his potential
predecessor shipped two goals per game last term in the top flight.
When linked with a switch to Middlesbrough, pundit Carlton Palmer had suggested: “This would be a shrewd bit of business.
He spent the second half of the season on loan at Hull where he was outstanding.” It now seems it will instead be the Elland
Road outfit who are set to enjoy his exploits.
Having also made 52 Premier League appearances, placing this kind of experience behind fellow new signing Ampadu will
surely help him take to his new surroundings well.
However, it is young Charlie Cresswell that will likely benefit more than anyone from his presence, finishing off what
promises to be a formidable back three.
Standing at 6 foot 3, the 20-year-old titan enjoyed a fine loan spell of his own in the second tier, shining for the promotion-
chasing Millwall last season.
Despite failing to attain a playoff spot, his 7.13 average rating in the league outlined a year of maturing for the young
defender with the world at his feet. With 1.5 tackles, 3.1 clearances and 1.3 interceptions per game too (via Sofascore), he
really did excel at this level and is set to do so again in the coming year.
Blending an experienced head with a youngster set to star for his parent club, such a deal could not only shore up their
backline but provide the perfect foundation for Cresswell to build a successful career.
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