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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Leeds’ summer hasn’t been the best to date. They’ve seen Pontus Jansson walk out of the door whilst they’ve also lost Jack Clarke on a permanent deal, although he’s back on loan.
There’s been some positivity in the fact Helder Costa has arrived but speculation surrounding a host of their players fails to go away.
Kemar Roofe has attracted interest from the Premier League whilst Kalvin Phillips and Mateusz Klich could also make moves to the top-flight.
Incomings look like a struggle but one individual who could arrive through the doors of Elland Road is Romaine Sawyers.
On the chalkboard
Last week The Daily Record suggested that Celtic and Leeds were set to battle it out for the midfielder’s signature.
The Brentford man was impressive last term, registering six assists for his troubles in the Championship.
He initially started out as a number ten but it’s from deeper in midfield where he’s looked so comfortable for the Bees, featuring on 42 occasions.
The 27-year-old did play some part of last season behind the striker and it’s his experience there where he could be hugely influential if he joins Leeds.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether Klich departs this summer but there are particular areas where their potential incoming could be better.
In 2018/19, Klich was devastating in attack, scoring ten goals as well as claiming nine assists.
In the process he completed 1.4 key passes per game, completing the same number of long balls. Sawyers played more passes per match, however, 63.9, compared to the Pole’s 47.3 and that enabled the former to play 1.6 key passes.
However, it’s in terms of the incisive passes off the ground where he’s truly superior, playing 3.9 on average each match. This could give Leeds a new dynamic if they did indeed replace Klich with Sawyers because on statistical evidence, he fails to provide many passes that aren’t on the floor.
His goal threat isn’t as high but if the Whites can get Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford firing at the same time that may not be so much of an issue.
Sawyers is also more composed in possession. He found his teammates 86.2% of the time compared to Klich who finished the term with a success rate of 81.1%. The fact the former attempted more passes makes his percentage particularly impressive.
In terms of goals, losing their number 43 would be disastrous, but in other areas, Sawyers could definitely be of huge benefit.