Over the years, Leeds United has been the home to numerous attacking talents, many of whom have captured the hearts of the fanbase as a result of their impressive stints at Elland Road.
After joining as a teenager, last season Crysencio Summerville burst into life, playing a huge role under boss Daniel Farke, notching 20 goals and nine assists in his 46 Championship outings.
However, the Whites would be unable to keep hold of him after their failure to secure promotion, joining West Ham United in a £25m deal – banking the club a hefty profit in the process.
Jack Clarke was another player capable of getting supporters off their seats with his dribbling ability, making just 27 appearances for his boyhood side before making a big-money move to Tottenham Hotspur.
However, fast-forward nearly six years on from the youngster’s move to the North London outfit, Farke’s side currently have one player on loan from the aforementioned side, following in the footsteps of the two players and already being a success in Yorkshire.
Manor Solomon’s stats for Leeds United in 24/25
After the high-profile departure of Summerville during the off-season, it was pivotal that the hierarchy provided Farke with the tools to claim promotion at the second attempt.
They dipped into the market and secured a loan move for winger Manor Solomon from Premier League side Spurs, moving to Elland Road until the end of the current campaign.
The Israeli forward has impressed beyond anyone’s imagination, registering seven goals and seven assists in his 26 league outings, registering the third most contributions of any player in the first-team squad.
Solomon’s efforts in the final third have aided the Whites massively, helping them boast the best-attacking record in the division, subsequently allowing them to sit top of the table with 13 games left.
However, despite his impressive form in Yorkshire, he could’ve been further aided with his efforts had the club kept hold of one player rather than prematurely offloading him.
The player who would’ve been perfect for Solomon
Junior Firpo has been a player who has divided the fanbase in recent years, but when given the opportunity this season, the Spaniard has impressed under Farke for the Whites.
The 28-year-old has registered seven assists in just 20 Championship matches, a phenomenal record for a full-back, but he’s out of contract in the summer, with no more deal yet to be agreed.
As a result, it leaves the club potentially facing a dilemma at left-back, something which they would not have faced had they kept hold of Leif Davis a couple of years ago.
Davis joined the club as an 18-year-old from Morecambe, rapidly developing and making the jump into the first team – featuring twice in the Premier League during the 2020/21 campaign.
However, he would join Bournemouth on loan for the following season, but would not return to Leeds after joining Ipswich Town on a permanent deal ahead of 2022/23.
Since his move to Portman Road, Davis has taken his career to the next level, registering three goals and 14 assists in League One, helping the Tractor Boys secure promotion back to the second tier.
He continued his excellent form under Kieran McKenna last year, with 20 combined goal contributions and helping the club make it back-to-back promotions, preventing the Whites in the process.
The full-back, who’s previously been dubbed “sensational” by journalist Stuart Watson, has seamlessly made the jump into the top flight, producing numerous impressive stats that would’ve aided Solomon in attacking areas.
Games played
24
Goals & assists
3
Shot-creating actions
3.1
Key passes
1.8
Passes into final third
1.2
Crosses completed
4.7
Progressive passes
1.9
Given his meteoric rise to the top of the English game, there must be an ounce of regret from the Whites’ hierarchy in allowing him to depart the club back in 2022.
At the age of just 25, he has the potential to improve further in the years ahead, but unfortunately for the supporters, it’s a case of what could’ve been had they kept hold of the defender.
Leeds must rue offloading "sensational" talent who's outperforming Tanaka
Leeds United may have made a mistake in allowing one former star to depart Elland Road.
1 ByEthan LambFeb 20, 2025