Ethan Ampadu
Leeds United has been making waves in the Premier League with their impressive fitness levels and tactical prowess. Under the guidance of Daniel Farke, the team has shown remarkable improvement in key areas such as set-pieces and ground coverage. This transformation can be traced back to a rigorous pre-season training camp in Germany, which laid the foundation for their current success.
Ethan Ampadu said: “A tough pre-season.”
During a recent club podcast, Ethan Ampadu highlighted the intense pre-season as a critical factor behind the team’s fitness. The summer camp in Germany, attended by Leeds Live and other reporters, offered a glimpse into the demanding drills and tactical sessions orchestrated by Farke and his coaching staff. While some tactical elements remained confidential, the physical training was evident.
Jonny Whitmore said: “It’s an interesting mix stylistically. Arsenal (ranked third), their [running] is getting the ball back and recycling possession from side to side. Whereas actually Leeds is more about out of possession. Players are not sprinting everywhere, straining every sinew in every phase.”
Opta’s Director of Analytics, Jonny Whitmore, provided insights into Leeds United’s playing style. He noted that while Leeds covers significant ground, their approach is more about strategic positioning rather than relentless sprinting. This tactic aligns with their possession statistics, where they average 45% across 27 games, ranking them sixth-lowest in the league.
Whitmore added: “In terms of sprints, they’re a bit lower. They’re seventh in the league for that. So while they’re covering a lot of distance, it’s not always at the top intensity necessarily. We’re seeing more low blocks as a tactic. Now, an average of four long throws are being flung into the box every Premier League game.”
Leeds United’s tactical evolution is also evident in their set-piece strategies. Despite receiving some criticism for his long throws during pre-season, Ampadu acknowledged their gradual improvement. The team has capitalized on dead-ball situations, with Anton Stach scoring three direct free-kicks. Leeds ranks high in non-penalty set-piece goals, trailing only Arsenal, Manchester United, and Newcastle.
Whitmore explained: “In terms of some of the [goal] conversion stats [from set-pieces], Leeds are fairly middle of the pack. But only three teams have scored more non-penalty set-pieces than Leeds (13) – Arsenal, Man United (15) and Newcastle (14). So they’re up there with the top teams.”
Leeds United’s underlying metrics reflect their strategic growth, positioning them alongside top Premier League teams. The collaboration between Opta and Xbox, featuring Whitmore, aims to explore football’s unluckiest fan through the xJ Calculator, adding a scientific twist to fan superstition.
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