With just 11 games to go in the 2024/25 Championship season, Leeds United sit on pole position to claim a return to the Premier League, currently sitting top of the table.
The Whites have a five-point buffer over third-placed Burnley, whilst undoubtedly having the easiest run-in by not having to come up against any of the top six sides between now and the end of May.
Numerous first-team players have contributed massively to their success this campaign, none more so than striker Joel Piroe, with his 15 goals – a division high – securing numerous points in key matches.
Ao Tanaka has also starred in the middle of the park after his summer arrival, exceeding all expectations and cementing his place in the side, as seen by his run of 12 consecutive league starts.
The aforementioned duo have both impressed on the pitch, but the hard work done by one man off the field is where the majority of the credit needs to be directed.
Daniel Farke’s stats in charge of Leeds United
After relegation from the Premier League at the end of 2022/23, it was always vital that the Leeds hierarchy made the right appointment to take the club back to England’s top flight.
Daniel Farke was the man chosen to lead the side, a great choice given his previous success in the second-tier, winning two titles during his tenure in charge at Norwich City.
The German led the Whites to a play-off final last year, whilst helping them sit at the top of the tree this time around – looking to claim a third Championship win of his managerial career.
He’s so far achieved a 60% win rate in the league since his appointment 18 months ago, doing so whilst having to manage a side that had been ransacked after relegation and failure to win promotion last season.
Farke has done a superb job at the helm, offering stability and consistency to the side, allowing for their recent impressive run of 17 league games unbeaten – with one player contributing massively to the success.
The Leeds player whose value has skyrocketed 2025%
Over the years, Leeds have made numerous shrewd additions to help their cause, many of which have made an impact at Elland Road before leaving in big-money transfers.
Raphinha is just one example, joining for £17m back in the Premier League days before departing two years later for Barcelona for a mammoth £55m – allowing him to star in Spain after his successful stint in Yorkshire.
However, in the present day, defender Pascal Struijk is another example of a player who has rapidly developed at the club, becoming a regular starter over the last couple of years.
The Dutchman arrived from Ajax back in 2018, originally linking up with the academy setup before quickly making the jump into the senior setup.
At the time of his arrival, the now 25-year-old was valued at just £620k by Transfermarkt, with his value skyrocketing as a result of his showings for the Whites.
Struijk made five appearances during the promotion-winning campaign, before becoming a regular first-team player under Marcelo Bielsa in what was the club’s first season back in the top flight for nearly two decades.
However, despite relegation, he remained at the club, often taking the armband, backing up Farke’s claims of the defender being “crucial” to his plans at Elland Road.
|
Pascal Struijk’s stats since joining Leeds in 2018 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
|
2019/20 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
|
2020/21 |
29 |
1 |
0 |
|
2021/22 |
31 |
1 |
0 |
|
2022/23 |
33 |
2 |
1 |
|
2023/24 |
25 |
5 |
0 |
|
2024/25 |
33 |
5 |
0 |
|
Total: |
156 |
14 |
1 |
|
Stats via FotMob |
|||
He’s scored 10 goals over the last two seasons in the Championship, including a double off the bench against Sunderland a couple of weeks ago, turning the game in their favour and securing all three points.
As a result of his tremendous showings in recent years, his market value has soared, with Transfermarkt now valuing the centre-back at £14.2m, a jump of 2025% on the value he boasted upon his arrival.
Struijk has captured the hearts of the fanbase during his time at the club, having a huge impact at both ends of the pitch, as seen by his tallies since his emergence.
There’s no doubt his quality has massively aided their promotion push this time around, with the Dutchman needing to continue his form under Farke to help the Whites achieve their target in the next few months.
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