Leeds United played their first game of pre-season last weekend when they faced Manchester United in what turned out to be a 0-0 draw between the two Premier League sides.
There was a chance to see some new faces, as Sebastiaan Bornauw, Sean Longstaff, Jaka Biijol, Lukas Nmecha, and Gabriel Gudmundsson all featured, as well as some old ones.
Jack Harrison has returned from his two-year-long loan spell at Everton and was included in the starting line-up to face the Red Devils, which turned out to be a less-than-popular decision among supporters.
Reporter Graham Smyth claimed that there were boos from the Leeds fans when Harrison touched the ball after just five minutes, and that there were more boos when he was stood over a free-kick ten minutes later.
After the game, Daniel Farke told BBC Sport: “Jack has many Premier League appearances and we would be stupid if we didn’t want to use that. It is a bit tricky if you have a couple of years away but that was a decision before my time.
“Right now he is back with us. He is a great guy, a hard worker and very reliable. It is up to him to win the confidence and trust back.”
Why Leeds should move on from Jack Harrison
Despite Farke opening the door for him to work his way into the team ahead of the upcoming Premier League season, Leeds should be looking to move on from the former Manchester City man.
Ultimately, the Whites need players who can make a big impact at the top end of the pitch to help them avoid an instant relegation back to the Championship next term.
Harrison’s form in the last two seasons in the Premier League for the Toffees does not suggest that he is likely to provide what they are looking for in the final third, as he consistently struggled in front of goal on Merseyside.
The left-footed dud scored three goals and provided three assists in 29 matches in the top-flight for Everton in his first year at Goodison Park, before a dismal return of one goal and zero assists in 34 matches during the 2024/25 campaign.
xG
3.52
Top 43%
Goals
1
Bottom 17%
xG on target
1.07
Bottom 24%
Shots on target
7
Bottom 33%
Assists
0
Bottom 3%
Dribble success rate
35%
Bottom 19%
Dispossessed
41 times
Bottom 15%
As you can see in the table above, Harrison had plenty of chances to add to his solitary goal, with 3.52 xG, but underperformed as a finisher for the Toffees.
These statistics do not suggest that he is likely to be the left winger the Whites need to replace Manor Solomon and to lead them to safety in the Premier League, which is why he should be sent packing by a star the club are reportedly keen on signing.
Leeds chasing deal for new winger
According to Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Graham Smyth, Leeds United remain interested in a deal to sign Feyenoord forward Igor Paixao this summer.
The journalist claims that the Championship champions are still chasing a swoop to bring the Brazilian attacker to Elland Road ahead of the upcoming Premier League season.
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Smyth adds that he has yet to get a call to suggest that the 25-year-old winger is set to sign for Marseille, which has left the door open for Leeds to continue their pursuit of the impressive star.
The latest from Voetbal International is that Marseille are yet to reach an agreement on a transfer fee with Feyenoord, and their final offer for the attacker is due to be submitted on Tuesday.
It had been claimed that the French side were closing in on a deal of around £30m to sign the Eredivisie sensation, but it now remains to be seen how much Roberto De Zerbi’s side are going to offer with their latest approach.
Why Leeds should sign Igor Paixao
Leeds should push to win the race for the £30m-rated star in the coming days because he has the quality on the left flank to send Harrison packing, which may come as good news to any supporters who felt the need to boo the English winger, as harsh as that was, last weekend.
As aforementioned, the Whites and Farke ultimately need quality in the attacking positions and Harrison seems unlikely to provide what they need, whilst Paixao has the potential to be a match-winning player for the club.
His form for Feyenoord in the 2024/25 campaign suggests that the potential is there for him to be a hugely influential figure for Leeds next season, as a winger who can score and create goals at an impressive rate.
The Brazilian star, who was hailed as “explosive” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, racked up 16 goals and ten assists in 34 appearances in the Eredivisie, but he also showcased his quality in the Champions League for anyone doubting the quality of the Dutch top-flight.
xG
0.97
Top 46%
Goals
2
Top 35%
xG on target
1.89
Top 28%
xA
1.39
Top 24%
Assists
4
Top 4%
Chances created
20
Top 6%
As you can see in the table above, Paixao registered more assists (four) in the Champions League last season than Harrison has managed (three) in the last two Premier League campaigns combined.
When you add in his 26 goal contributions in the Eredivisie on top of his exceptional performances in Europe’s premier cup competition, the £30m-rated star appears to be a huge upgrade on the English attacker.
This is why Leeds should send Harrison packing by agreeing a deal with Feyenoord for Paixao, who has the quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals to regularly impact matches to win vital points for the team.
Whilst he is unproven in the Premier League, the Brazilian sensation’s form in the Champions League shows that he can perform against the very best teams in Europe, which suggests that he has a good chance of making an impact in one of Europe’s major leagues – the Premier League.
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Therefore, Leeds should allow Harrison to move on, should he find a new club, this summer and attempt to replace him by signing Paixao to improve Farke’s team.
