£20m star really failed at Leeds, now he's outperforming Gray after leaving
da cassino online： Since dropping into the Championship ahead of the 2023/24 season, Leeds United have had countless players who have benefitted from the relegation – gaining valuable game time as a result.
da pinnacle： Crysencio Summerville is undoubtedly one of the biggest success stories, becoming a regular starter under Daniel Farke after the club dropped into the second tier.
The Dutchman registered 20 goals and nine assists in his 46 Championship appearances, winning the PFA Player of the Year award given the nature of his displays.
After failing to secure promotion last campaign, he would depart in a £25m deal to join West Ham United, netting the club a huge profit after his transfer to Elland Road back in 2021.
Summerville isn’t the only player who impressed in Yorkshire last season, with another first-team member thriving beyond all imagination in his debut year as a professional.
Archie Gray’s stats for Leeds in 2023/24
Academy graduate Archie Gray made his breakthrough into the senior ranks last year, managing to become a key member of Farke’s side as they lost in the play-off final.
The teenager would make 52 appearances across all competitions despite his tender age, featuring in various positions, but not looking out of place regardless of the role.
Despite originally being a central-midfielder, he would operate in a right-back position, but managed to nail it down as his own, with no one able to dislodge him from the side.
However, like Summerville, he would depart after the play-off final, leaving to join Tottenham Hotspur in a £40m deal, banking a mammoth profit on the teenage sensation.
He’s continued in such a vein this year, often featuring in an unnatural role under Ange Postecoglou, ultimately being outperformed by another former Whites player this campaign.
The former Leeds dud who’s managed to outperform Gray in 2024/25
During his time at Spurs, Postecoglou’s side have endured somewhat of an injury crisis, with the teenager having to operate a centre-back to gain first-team minutes.
He’s still managed to produce some admirable figures despite his unfamiliar role, but he’s been outperformed by Weston McKennie, who failed to impress during his temporary stint at Elland Road.
The American would make 20 appearances after joining on loan from Juventus in January 2023, but was unable to prevent the club from relegation, leaving the Whites at the end of the season and moving back to Serie A.
McKennie, who’s valued at £20m by Transfermarkt, has featured 35 times across all competitions this campaign, notching five goals and three assists to date – starring in the Champions League along the way.
It’s safe to say the 26-year-old has revived his career at the top level after his failed stint in Yorkshire, massively outperforming Gray in the process, highlighting his excellent turnaround in form this year.
How McKennie compares to Gray in 2024/25 so far
Statistics (per 90)
McKennie
Gray
Games played
23
21
Goals & assists
5
0
Progressive carries
1.1
0.3
Progressive passes
3.7
2
Tackles won
1.2
0.9
Interceptions made
0.7
0.5
Take-on success
62%
50%
Aerials won
1.1
0.7
Stats via FBref
The Juve star has won more tackles per 90 despite Gray’s defensive role, whilst also making more interceptions – highlighting the defensive qualities he’s developed after moving away from Yorkshire.
He’s also registered more progressive carries and progressive passes, liking to get the ball into forward areas, whilst also winning more aerial battles per 90 – being the perfect box-to-box midfielder for the modern game.
Whilst there’s no denying that his temporary spell at Elland Road was a disappointment, he evidently just needed more time to succeed, with the former Schalke man arguably having one of his best-ever seasons in 2024/25.
It’s great to see him starring on a consistent basis in Italy, but he could’ve been a permanent addition for the Whites had they survived a couple of years ago, hoping to return to the promised land under Farke in the next few months.
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