{"id":1510489,"date":"2026-10-28T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1510489"},"modified":"2026-10-28T17:05:17","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T17:05:17","slug":"leeds-united-new-signings-shining-premier-league","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/leeds-united-new-signings-shining-premier-league\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Leeds United\u2019s new defensive signings are exceeding expectations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/daniel-farke\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Daniel Farke<\/a> worked wonders to keep <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/leeds-united\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Leeds United<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/competitions\/premier-league-2026-2027\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Premier League<\/a> last season.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A run of three wins in the opening 13 league matches suggested that the Whites were destined to drop straight back into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/competitions\/championship-2026-2027\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Championship<\/a>. The German was under huge pressure at Elland Road, with some calling for the former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/norwich-city\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Norwich City<\/a> boss to be dismissed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/add-squawka-to-your-google-news-feed\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/squawka-preferred-sources-google-banner.webp\" alt=\"Add Squawka to your preferred sources on Google\" class=\"wp-image-1500527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/squawka-preferred-sources-google-banner.webp 1500w, https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/squawka-preferred-sources-google-banner-300x100.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/squawka-preferred-sources-google-banner-1024x341.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/squawka-preferred-sources-google-banner-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/squawka-preferred-sources-google-banner-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/squawka-preferred-sources-google-banner-600x200.webp 600w, https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/squawka-preferred-sources-google-banner-180x60.webp 180w, https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/squawka-preferred-sources-google-banner-150x50.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/squawka-preferred-sources-google-banner-222x74.webp 222w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article, we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-new-signings-are-thriving\" data-level=\"3\">New signings are thriving<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-trafford-shining-between-the-sticks\" data-level=\"3\">Trafford shining between the sticks<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-muharemovic-hit-the-ground-running\" data-level=\"3\">Muharemovic hit the ground running<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Farke, though, rode out the storm. Crucially, he tinkered with his tactics to make Leeds more robust. Gone was the 4-3-3 setup. In came a three-man backline. They went more direct to maximise Dominic Calvert-Lewin\u2019s physicality. It was something of a back-to-basics approach that ultimately helped Leeds to safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Indeed, they finished the campaign in 14th, eight points clear of danger. Nevertheless, they could ill-afford to rest on their laurels. Leeds may have beaten the drop, yet they still shipped the fifth most goals (56) in the division. There were sweeping changes at the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-new-signings-are-thriving\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">New signings are thriving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Goalkeepers Lucas Perri, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/karl-darlow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Karl Darlow<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/illan-meslier\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Illan Meslier<\/a> all departed. Defenders <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/sebastiaan-bornauw\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sebastiaan Bornauw<\/a>, Maximilian Wober and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/pascal-struijk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pascal Struijk<\/a> were all allowed to leave, though Wober had spent a substantial chunk of his final season on the Leeds books out a loan. Even so, such mass upheaval at the back could have severely impacted Leeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They had cash to spend owing to their top-flight safety, and they maximised the financial boost to strengthen accordingly. In came <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/james-trafford\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">James Trafford<\/a> as the club-record signing, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/england\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">England<\/a> star arriving from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/manchester-city\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Manchester City<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/tarik-muharemovic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tarik Muharemovic<\/a> joined from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/sassuolo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sassuolo<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/nico-elvedi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nico Elvedi<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/michael-zetterer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Michael Zetterer<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/melvin-bard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Melvin Bard<\/a> moved to Yorkshire from Gladbach, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/eintracht-frankfurt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Eintracht Frankfurt<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/nice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nice<\/a>, respectively, to swell the ranks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s the high-profile signings of, Trafford, Muharemovic and Elvedi that have really caught the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-trafford-shining-between-the-sticks\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trafford shining between the sticks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Leeds did take something of a gamble on Trafford. Having returned to Manchester City last summer, Trafford was expected to be first-choice frontman for the Cityzens. However, he only made four league outings, losing his starting spot to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/gianluigi-donnarumma\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gianluigi Donnarumma<\/a> following his arrival from Paris Saint-germain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even then, Trafford hardly covered himself in glory, at least in the league. In truth, he should have been sent off in the 2-0 defeat to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/tottenham-hotspur\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> last August. What\u2019s more, his first full Premier League campaign with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/burnley\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Burnley<\/a> was nothing short of disastrous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That said, the talent was there for all to see. Trafford just needed some stability to really start to grow as a goalkeeper. And at Leeds, he is doing just that. An 85.7% save success rate is the best in the Premier League this season. Three clean sheets is the joint-fourth most. 28 saves ranks second. Only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/arsenal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Arsenal<\/a> (5) have conceded fewer goals than Farke\u2019s side (6). Trafford&#8217;s Squawka Score of 7.2 is the best of all Premier League goalkeepers this season.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/28163732\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-20-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The best performing goalkeepers in the 2026\/27 Premier League season\" class=\"wp-image-1510490\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/28163732\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-20-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/28163732\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-20-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/28163732\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-20-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/28163732\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-20-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/28163732\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-20-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/28163732\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-20-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/28163732\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-20-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/28163732\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-20-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/28163732\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-20-59x74.jpg 59w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/28163732\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-20.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is more to Trafford\u2019s game than just shotstopping. The 24-year-old\u2019s distribution affords Farke an additional outlet from the back. Leeds are able to deal with the opposition press far easier than they did last season. Trafford is averaging 41.1 passes per 90 and a 64.1% pass accuracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both hauls are better than Perri (34.9 and 53.3%) and Darlow (38.5 and 58.2%). As such, their possession return has increased marginally from 45.6% to 47.1%. Leeds are able to dominate games to a better standard with Trafford between the sticks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-muharemovic-hit-the-ground-running\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Muharemovic hit the ground running<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Muharemovic, they have another commendable distributor, and one that has filled the void by Struijk\u2019s exit. While the Dutchman may have his critics, Struijk is a handy operator in possession, meaning there was big boots to fill on the left side of Leeds\u2019 three-man backline when he moved to Brighton &amp; Hove Albion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Bosnia and Herzegovina international has exceeded expectations in a Leeds shirt, and then some. 56.1 passes per 90 is more than any other Leeds player. Fellow new arrival Elvedi ranks second here, with 52.7. The latter\u2019s pass accuracy of 90.1% is better than any teammate. Muharemovic places third for this metric, with 85.7%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Muharemovic, meanwhile, has shown the requisite knack for being in the right place at the right time to alleviate pressure on the Leeds goal. Only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/coventry-city\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Coventry City<\/a>\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/bobby-thomas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bobby Thomas<\/a> (63) has made more clearances than the 23-year-old (62) in the 2026\/27 Premier League campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Elvedi brings that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/competitions\/bundesliga-2026-2027\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bundesliga<\/a> experience to the backline, while Jakob Bijol has become a mainstay in the side since establishing himself as a first-team regular last season. The centre-back trio have forged a tight-knit defensive unit, providing relevant protection for Trafford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While some new signings take time to get up to speed, Leeds\u2019 defensive additions have hit the ground running. The results have taken a hit but they remain incredibly compact and difficult to better. Proof, then, that the best defence is, actually, a good defence.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/premier-league\/\"><strong>Premier League predictions &amp; tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/premier-league-title-odds\/\"><strong>Premier League outright odds <\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Daniel Farke worked wonders to keep Leeds United in the Premier League last season. A run of three wins in the opening 13 league matches suggested that the Whites were destined to drop straight back into the Championship. The German was under huge pressure at Elland Road, with some calling for the former Norwich City&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1510491,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"Leeds","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Discover how James Trafford, Nico Elvedi and Tarik Muharemovic have strengthened Leeds United\u2019s defence under Daniel Farke.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[27690,27670,27671],"class_list":["post-1510489","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","squawka-category-leeds-united","squawka-category-premier-league","squawka-category-team-analysis"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Why Leeds United\u2019s new 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content=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/leeds-united-new-signings-shining-premier-league\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Squawka | EN\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SquawkaFootballNews\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-28T17:05:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/28163803\/3FY2X3P-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@squawka\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" 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SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND, OCTOBER 25: Leeds United manager Daniel Farke looks on ahead of the Premier League 2026-27 match between Sunderland AFC and Leeds United at the Stadium of Light on October 25, 2026 in Sunderland, England. 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