After storming the Championship with 100 points last term, Leeds United were always going to need a busy summer window to prepare for their Premier League return.
Under the stewardship of 49ers Enterprises, the club pushed to strengthen Daniel Farke’s squad, with signings in multiple positions.
Anton Stach, Jaka Bijol, Lucas Perri, Sean Longstaff, Gabriel Gudmundsson, James Justin, Sebastian Bornauw and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all arrived.
Perhaps the most intriguing addition was Swiss forward Noah Okafor, who joined from AC Milan for £18m, bringing Champions League experience to Elland Road.
Departures also shaped the window. Rasmus Kristensen, Maximilian Wöber, Junior Firpo and Largie Ramazani all moved on.
Fans were especially vocal about Ramazani, whose loan to Valencia was seen by some as a risk given his ability on the wing.
The early weeks of the season have been a rollercoaster.
Leeds edged Everton 1-0 at home on the opening day but then suffered a 5-0 hammering at Arsenal.
A hard-fought goalless draw with Newcastle steadied the ship before a cruel stoppage-time own goal from Gudmundsson condemned them to defeat at Fulham.
Amid the mixed results, one problem has stood out above all others. To put it plainly, Leeds are short of goals, they need a talent like Ramazani in their ranks.
Why losing Ramazani has been a blow
Ramazani’s loan departure was framed as a blow to Leeds’ wide options.
The 24-year-old Belgian, valued at £6m via Transfermarkt, joined from Almería and played 29 Championship games last season, registering six goals and two assists.
His pace and direct running gave Leeds an outlet in transition, and his ability to stretch defences created space for others.
Now on loan at Valencia, Ramazani has continued to show flashes of his potential.
For Leeds supporters, seeing him leave after only one season felt premature, particularly given his adaptation to English football appeared to be underway.
However, while losing the wide forward has reduced Leeds’ width, it has not addressed their bigger problem: a lack of reliable goalscorers.
Ramazani’s output, even in the Championship, was respectable but not prolific.
His nine goal involvements across 30 matches last term underlined his inconsistency in decisive moments.
As results so far this season have shown, what Leeds arguably miss more than an extra winger is a forward with an eye for goal.
Leeds real loss came two years ago
If Ramazani left a hole out wide, the departure of Max Dean may yet prove far more costly through the middle.
The 21-year-old centre-forward, who can also operate off the wings, came through Everton’s youth system before joining Leeds’ academy.
He quickly made his mark, scoring 20 goals and adding five assists in 43 appearances whilst on loan at MK Dons.
Dons head coach Mike Williamson hailed him after a brace against Morecambe in December 2023, describing him as “an infectious character.”
It was that blend of energy and end product that led Belgian side Gent to sign him, where he has since scored 13 goals and two assists in 30 appearances.
His trajectory shows a player who has adapted quickly at every step along his footballing journey.
Statistically, Dean is not as active on the ball as Ramazani, but he is far more efficient in front of goal.
Matches Played
17
Goals
6
Assists
1
Progressive Carries
15
Progressive Passes
33
Last season, Dean registered seven goal involvements in 17 games compared to Ramazani’s nine in 30.
His 48.5% shot accuracy also edges the Belgian’s 45%, while his 1.48 shots on target per 90 highlight his ability to test goalkeepers regularly.
Where Are They Now
Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.
Though Ramazani surpasses him in terms of progressive carries and creative actions, Dean’s finishing instincts arguably address Leeds’ more pressing needs.
Dean’s England U20 debut in 2024 only added weight to the argument that Leeds might have given up on him too soon.
At 21, he still has time to develop into a top-level forward, and his knack for being in the right place at the right time is a trait Leeds could use as they adjust to the Premier League.
For all the discussion around Ramazani, Dean represents the type of player Leeds currently lack: a forward who can turn half-chances into goals.
In a side that has so far relied on penalties and moments of fortune, that cutting edge might have made the difference between mid-table comfort and early-season frustration.
