It’s clear to say Leeds United’s new signings have some huge shoes to fill.
Leeds have lost not just their leading scorer and reigning Championship Player of the Year, Crysencio Summerville, who coach Daniel Farke has described as irreplaceable, but they are also mourning the loss of their creative lynchpin, Georginio Rutter.
Summerville and Rutter combined to score or assist 55 goals for the beaten play-off finalists last season.
If Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon can get close to those statistics, the summer may still be considered a success. But it is a lot to ask.
Ramazani, a £10 million transfer from Almeria, possesses’very excellent abilities’ but has never scored as many goals in a single season as Summerville.
The smooth Solomon, however, had some promising moments at Fulham but scarcely kicked a ball during his injury-plagued time at Tottenham Hotspur.
Leeds United have been connected with Hammarby striker Jusef Erabi.
Reports linking Leeds with an £8.5 million move for Hammarby attacker Jusef Erabi, meanwhile, are being dismissed in the 21-year-old’s native Sweden.
It’s never a good sign when one of your rumored transfer targets is openly mocked in the local media.
Former Sweden forward Tobias Hysen believes Erabi should be valued at eight and a half million krone rather than £8.5 million. For the sake of clarity, around £600,000.
“Euros or…?” When informed of Erabi’s alleged transfer value during an appearance on the Ljugarbanken podcast, Hysen laughed.
“If someone comes along and gives Hammarby 115 million for Erabi, then I’ll go to Arsta myself and pull (sporting director Mikael) Hjelmberg’s ear if he doesn’t say yes right away!”
For what it’s worth, Hjelmberg wants to downplay the Erabi-Elland Road links.
According to Fotboll Sthlm, the Hammarby manager claims he hasn’t heard a ‘peep’ about Leeds’ interest, while also dismissing speculation that highly-rated teenage midfielder Bazoumana Toure could join Scottish champions Celtic.
Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon are at Elland Road.
Erabi’s record with Hammarby is 12 goals in 45 Allsvenskan games. That is not exactly a hair-raising tally, even though the Sweden Under 21 international is still a young player with a lot to learn and plenty of untapped potential.
Ramazani and Solomon, meanwhile, want to make their Leeds debuts against Hull City on Saturday.
The latter is simply relieved to be leaving Spurs, having fallen even further down the pecking order after Wilson Odobert came in a £30 million deal from Burnley.
“I am really happy to be here,” former Shakhtar Donetsk wideman Solomon told the Leeds website. “I’ve heard a lot about the club, its fans, legacy, and history. I know it’s a big club in England, and I’m excited to visit the fans and meet everyone.
“As soon as Leeds expressed interest, I began to hunt for players and coaches. I chatted with the manager, and (Farke) discussed the playing style and the players in Leeds.
“I know there is a group of fantastic lads, young individuals with a lot of passion and great skills. I’m excited to play with them and aid them in any way I can.
“I just want to get going.”
