How Have Leeds Created Such A Lethal Attack?

The EFL championship is now 37 games into the season, and Leeds United have been on free-firing form. After the play-off disaster last season, losing at Wembley to Southampton, it was looking like Leeds would slowly be on the decline. Being stripped of their top talents like Georginio Rutter, Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville could of made it seem impossible for Leeds to replace these holes in the squad. Now a championship side, trying to attract talent good enough to get back into the top flight, especially with the addition of three relegated Premier League teams. However, its been far from a struggle for the Yorkshire side, with a league high of 74 goals, 15 more than second top scores Norwich City. When you lose Key attackers like Summerville and Rutter, how do you still create such a devastating the year after, outscoring all other teams?

Summer Window

Following the heartbreak at Wembley, the future of Leeds United was up in the air, would they bounce back the season after? Or would it be harder and harder for them to retain and attain a good squad capable of thriving, not surviving. In the window, Premier League clubs came swooping in for their top talents. Rutter was clearly to good for the championship, Summerville had just won player of the year and was showing his talents, meanwhile young starlet Archie Gray was showing his true potential for the years to come. And now Leeds were going to be a championship side for the second season coming, holding on to these players was going to be twice as hard.
The three key players for Leeds departed, Summerville to West Ham, Rutter to Brighton and Gray to Tottenham Hotspur. Thankfully for Leeds, these three sales along with some extra sales, including the permanent sale of Luis Sinisterra to Bournemouth, they were able to generate roughly £130miillion to rebuild their side for the next championship season. The first ordeal business for Leeds was to replace their attacking players and did just that with the loan signing of Manor Solomon from Tottenham and purchasing Largie Ramazani from Almeria for £7million. The attacking signings were of course nowhere near the level of the players they were replacing, but could they still be good enough for the championship?

Leeds in the Championship this season rank first for...

Goals scored (43)
Shots attempted (387)
Shots on Target (129)
Shots faced (148)
Shots on Target Faced (45)
xG (41.2)
xG Against (15.7)
Successful Passes (11,279)

Top of the table. #lufc pic.twitter.com/TkWGx2JYGf

— Jonny Cooper (@JRCooper26) December 27, 2024

Attacking Prowess

Goals certainly haven’t been an issue for Leeds this season, and the previous worries of losing Rutter and Summerville have been neglected. Leeds were able to hold onto Joel Piroe, who without doubt is one of the more lethal finishers within the league, boasting previous experience at this level with Swansea. Along with this, Daniel James was slowly coming into his prime years, and the former Manchester United player could offer raw pace on the wings, as well as his improving end product. Brendon Aaronson also returned from his unpromising loan spell at Union Berlin in Germany. So, even with the loss of key players, Leeds still had a good squad with capable players. Joel Piroe currently sits on 15 league goals this season, second in the league to Borja Sainz. A key to a strong attack is that there is strong connections within the squad, and players skillsets are able to sync with each other. And there has been that at Elland Road this season, as the movement of Joel Piroe and the pace of Daniel James on the wings has been able to create numerous goals this season, with James on 10 assists. Piroe is outperforming his expected goals stat this season, scoring 15 from an XG of 12. A key strength to the Leeds attack is the capability to finish chances, as Solomon and James also outperforming their XG. The side also dominate in possession, and control games in the opposition half, making it impossible for opponents to break out and counter. Leeds have an average of 60% possession this season, and have an average of 17 shots a game. The clear dominance of Leeds against their opponents make it easy for their side to score goals. Controlling the game, especially in the opponents half means that players can play higher up the pitch, pushing back the defensive line and create space for players to shoot. Having an average 17 shots per game combined with three players outperforming their XG makes it a recipe for goals.

Leeds United are currently given a 98.7% chance of automatic promotion to the Premier League by the Opta supercomputer, but which Championship club is most likely to join them?

Discover all of our Championship projections, here. ⬇️

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) February 28, 2025

Freedom

Although, with the pace that Leeds have in their squad with the likes of James, Aaronson and Solomon, Leeds can also counter quickly down the wings, as 10 of their goals this season originate from a counter attack. With the pace within the side, Leeds can soak up pressure and draw opponents in before quickly playing through the wings and deliver into the box where Piroe will be. Looking at fullbacks, Leeds easily have the best pairing in the league, as their pairing of Junior Firpo and Jayden Bogle have been involved in 18 of the sides goals this season. Firpo has nine assists this season to his name this season and this could be due to the playstyle of Leeds. Manager Daniel Farke has made his side focus on playing down the left this season, as 40% of their attacks this season have came from the left flank. Firpo has enjoyed his attacking freedom this season, as he has been given the license to be able to get high up the pitch and deliver crosses into the box. Daniel Farke is of course no stranger to this league, having won promotion previously before with Norwich, making it easier for him to understand what is needed from his Leeds side if they wanted to get promoted back into the Premier League, and he has done just that.

🇺🇸 Brenden Aaronson return to Leeds United this season. Club currently 1st in the Championship

8th among all players in shot-creating actions
T-7th key passes

Per 90 stats here... Excellent season so far for Aaronson pic.twitter.com/Bfg9TGsnV9

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) January 17, 2025

Leeds have a clear identity, controlling the ball high up the pitch, forcing opponents to drop off deeper and deeper, allowing Leeds to push higher and roam freely, creating space for each other to get into dangerous positions. Many would have thought it would have been tough this season for Leeds following their disastrous end to last season, but Farke has kept the faith, and managed to improve his side and dominate the league and turned their attack a dangerous force.