Leeds United supporters owe a huge amount to boss Daniel Farke for the work he’s done in stabilising the club after dropping into the Championship back in 2023.
The German took the reins looking to secure an immediate return, but most importantly, aiming to keep the core of the side together to secure success in England’s second tier.
Since his appointment, he’s won 49 games out of a possible 80 league outings, achieving a win percentage of 62% – a simply staggering feat, one that has set them up for success this time around.
The Whites have blown the majority of sides away this campaign, losing just three times in 34 Championship matches, sitting seven points clear of third with just 12 games remaining.
Farke has built a superb side for England’s second-tier, including two players who have both joined after his own appointment at Elland Road, playing vital roles in the recent success.
Tanaka & Piroe’s stats for Leeds in 2024/25
Midfielder Ao Tanaka has been a pivotal cog within the Leeds side over the past couple of months, nailing down his place as a regular starter after his £3.5m move in the summer.
The Japanese international has started every Championship game in 2025, showcasing his importance to the German, chipping in with three goals – subsequently making a huge impact at both ends of the pitch.
He’s even registered two assists this campaign, providing Joel Piroe with the ammunition needed within the final third, which has seen the Dutchman lead the club’s goalscoring charts in 2024/25.
The 25-year-old has certainly had his doubters during his time in Yorkshire after his £10m transfer, but has silenced his critics in recent weeks, registering 15 goals in his 34 league outings to date.
However, despite the impressive performances from the aforementioned duo, they are still valued lower than one player who departed Elland Road a couple of years ago – starring beyond anyone’s imagination after his transfer.
The former Leeds ace worth more than Tanaka & Piroe combined
Back in the summer of 2018, Leeds announced the signing of 18-year-old defender Leif Davis from Morecambe, originally linking up with the academy side with a view to moving him into the senior ranks.
The left-back would make his first-team debut in the same season, but limited to just minutes off the substitutes’ bench, something which would become a pattern during his first three years in Yorkshire.
After just 14 appearances across three seasons, Davis would move to Championship outfit Bournemouth on a season-long loan, returning for pre-season ahead of 2022/23, but he would play no part for the Whites that campaign.
Instead, the 25-year-old would move to League One Ipswich Town for just £1m, a move that would catapult him to huge success, handing him that break he so desperately needed in the professional game.
During his first season at Portman Road, he registered three goals and 14 assists, helping the Tractor Boys secure promotion back to the second tier, before making it back-to-back the following year.
Davis managed to achieve 20 goal contributions for Kieran McKenna’s side, playing a vital role in ending their Premier League exile, preventing his former employers as a result – something which would’ve been hard to see for the Whites hierarchy.
The full-back has impressed in the top-flight despite Ipswich’s struggles, scoring a phenomenal goal against Leicester City, with the two promoted sides desperately battling for survival.
However, the 25-year-old has seen a 2000% increase on the fee paid for his services a couple of years ago, now valued at £21m by Transfermarkt, a fee which is more than Tanaka and Piroe combined with the pair valued at £3.3m and £11.6m respectively.
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Leif Davis’ rise in value since joining Ipswich from Leeds |
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|---|---|
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Month |
Value |
|
November 2023 |
£600k |
|
April 2023 |
£1m |
|
October 2023 |
£1.8m |
|
December 2023 |
£3.7m |
|
March 2024 |
£5m |
|
May 2024 |
£7.5m |
|
October 2024 |
£12.4m |
|
February 2025 |
£21m |
|
Stats via Transfermarkt |
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Given his rapid rise to the top of the English game, coupled with his increase in price over the last few years, it’s evident that the club sold him too prematurely – potentially playing a key role this campaign had they kept him.
High-quality left-backs in the modern game are extremely hard to find, with Leeds’ loss now Ipswich’s gain, with the Tractor Boys having themselves a talented ace who could be sold down the line for a mammoth profit.
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Leeds United certainly made the right call in allowing the talented star to depart Elland Road.
