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Paul Robinson has told Sky Sports News (Tuesday, 11.10am) that Andrea Radrizzani and Leeds United deserve enormous praise for their work in the transfer window this summer – after spending around £100million on new talent.
The addition of Raphinha from Rennes on deadline day, which has set Leeds back an initial £17million, sees them complete their seventh first-team signing of the summer. Spain international Rodrigo cost a club-record £27million.
Robin Koch joined from Freiburg for around £13million, while Diego Llorente is also said to have cost £17million. Helder Costa cost a permanent £16million after an excellent loan spell, while goalkeeper Illan Meslier is a bargain at £5million.
Under-23 additions Sam Greenwood, Joe Gelhardt and Crysencio Summerville also cost Leeds around £5million in total. It is a big outlay and Robinson has applauded Leeds for their signings, despite Aston Villa’s doing the same last term.
“I’ll give them a 4.5. They’vre recruited excellently well. The owners stuck by the manager, they’ve brought in a top-class goalkeeper – only paid £5million for him,” Robinson said.
“They’ve brought in Rodrigo, Llorente, Jack Harrison on a loan-to-buy. They’ve bolstered in all the right areas and they’ve spent near on £100million which we saw Villa do last year – who only managed to finish in 17th
” But I really like the business that they’ve done.”
TBR’s view – Leeds very different to Villa
The difference between Leeds and Villa is that Leeds have made four new additions, while Villa made nine new additions in the summer of 2019 – excluding Tyrone Mings, Kortney Hause and Anwar El Ghazi who were previously at Villa Park on loan.
The new faces in Leeds’ senior side are Raphinha, Llorente, Rodrigo and Koch. Meslier, Costa and Harrison have remained after spending last season on loan. The rest are Under-23 additions.
Yes, Leeds have spent big on more than 10 players, but they have not upset the apple cart like Villa did following their promotion. They are two completely different cases.
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