Only newly promoted Nottingham Forest have signed more players than Leeds United so far this summer transfer window.
Jesse Marsch, who was appointed in February following the departure of Marcelo Bielsa, secured survival on the final day of the 2021/22 season with a 2-1 win away to Brentford.
Despite ensuring his side were more resilient than under the previous regime, Marsch’s impact flattered to deceive and was helped in large part by relegation condemned Burnley’s demise.
While there is common ground between the American manager’s strategy and that of his predecessor – pressing being one – Marsch implemented a less extreme system which pulled away from Bielsa’s man-mark-centred one.
This included a double pivot in midfield as opposed to the latter’s preferred sole anchoring midfielder and a generally more rigid formation with the primary objective of shoring up the Lilywhites’ previously leaky defence.
Thus far, Leeds have registered six signings. Considering the short amount of time Marsch had to impart his philosophy last campaign, these offer the first concrete insight into his plan to solidify the club’s status in the top-flight.
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— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 14, 2022
Leeds United waste no time in the transfer window
How much of a say Marsch is having on recruitment is unclear due to director of football Victor Orta’s hands-on approach, however, an influence can be made-out.
To add further fortification to his defensive unit and owing to Kalvin Phillips’ departure to champions Manchester City, two deep-lying midfielders have been added in RB Leipzig’s Tyler Adams, 23, and Bayern Munich’s Marc Roca, 25.
Both have a lot to prove – a feature of the incomings to this point – after equally indifferent spells with their previous employers.
The ages of the six arrivals range from 18-25 and several have links to Marsch’s football heritage in regard to nationality and his resume.
Adams is a USMNT international along with forward Brenden Aaronson, 21, who has signed from RB Salzburg. The Red Bull-owned teams are well known to Marsch after his time managing Leipzig prior to making the switch to the Premier League.
He exercised this avenue again with the signing of Rasmus Kristensen, 24, also of Salzburg, who adds depth to the right-back position.
The two remaining arrivals are highly rated winger Luis Sinisterra, 23, from Dutch outfit Feyenoord and 18-year-old Darko Gyabi who was included in the Phillips deal.