Leeds United learning from previous mistakes as Marc Roca deal shows recruitment progress - Leeds Live 18/6/22


Roca represents Leeds' third signing of the summer as he follows Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen to Elland Road

In Marc Roca, Leeds United have made their third major recruit in the space of just three weeks. Brenden Aaronson was the first to sign on the dotted line, making the move just days after Premier League survival was secured in dramatic fashion at the Brentford Community Stadium.

It was a deal that was lined up before the end of the season and Leeds’ survival ensured the final touches to the deal could be made. The addition of the attacking midfielder certainly sent out the right signals, as did the deal for Aaronson’s former Red Bull Salzburg teammate Rasmus Kristensen.

The Denmark international agreed a long-term deal just last week to bolster the Whites’ defensive numbers and reportedly Leeds snatched him from under the noses of German giants Borussia Dortmund. Again, it was a sign of intent as the club moved swiftly to address a gap that needed filling.

And, with pre-season still some time away, the club have made another addition in the shape of defensive midfielder Roca from Bayern Munich. The Spanish international is highly thought of at the Allianz Arena and those at Elland Road will be hoping he can re-ignite his career in the Premier League after moving swiftly to secure his signature amid some reported interest from West Ham United.

This isn’t slapdash spending performed in an effort to get players through the door, either. It’s precise and considered recruitment, with targets being identified well in advance.

These are players Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch believe can and will help Leeds up the table next season and away from the race to avoid relegation, which last season took so much out of them. It seems a number of lessons have been learned following that 2021-22 campaign, too.

To have three men through the door before Marsch’s first session of pre-season suggests the club are keen to do things differently this summer after a frustrating window last year in which Junior Firpo and Dan James were their only major additions, with James arriving on deadline day. The Whites then went through the entirety of the January window without adding to their squad, something which was a huge cause of frustration with supporters.

Due to injuries ocurring across the squad, that inactivity appeared to leave Leeds short of numbers down the home stretch. Fortunately, it didn’t prove to be a fatal error as they managed to avoid the drop and the new additions already seem to ensure that the club will be approaching the new campaign with a larger group of first-team regulars to select from.

Gaping holes in the squad have been filled and if reports elsewhere are to be believed, the recruitment drive is showing no signs of slowing down. With Roca in the bag, the Whites have been linked with a host of other players in recent days including PSG’s Arnaud Kalimuendo, Man City youngster Romeo Lavia, Wolves winger Adama Traore and Sander Berge of Sheffield United.

That sort of action and investment serves to underline the faith the club have in Marsch, too, who did come in for some criticism from fans during the run-in. The early business ensures the American will be given as much time as possible to work with and integrate his new recruits on the fields of Thorp Arch.

There’s still plenty of work to do and a lot can happen between now and the transfer window slamming shut at 11pm on September 1, but right now Leeds are making huge strides towards progress and their third signing of the summer only reinforces that notion.

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