Leeds striker who was sold in 2023 has been a bigger loss than Ramazani.

After winning the Championship with 100 points last season, Leeds United knew they’d need a busy summer to prepare for their return to the Premier League.

Under the leadership of 49ers Enterprises, the club sought to bolster Daniel Farke’s team with additions in a variety of positions.

Anton Stach, Jaka Bijol, Lucas Perri, Sean Longstaff, Gabriel Gudmundsson, James Justin, Sebastian Bornauw, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have all arrived.

Perhaps the most fascinating signing was Swiss forward Noah Okafor, who arrived from AC Milan for £18 million and brings Champions League experience to Elland Road.

Departures also influenced the window. Rasmus Kristensen, Maximilian Wöber, Junior Firpo, and Largie Ramazani have all moved on.

Fans were particularly vociferous over Ramazani, whose loan to Valencia was viewed as risky considering his skill on the wing.

The first few weeks of the season have been a rollercoaster. Leeds beat Everton 1-0 at home on the first day, but then lost 5-0 at Arsenal.

A hard-fought goalless draw with Newcastle kept the ship afloat but Gudmundsson’s heartbreaking stoppage-time own goal consigned them to loss at Fulham.

Among the uneven outcomes, one problem has stood out above the rest. To put it simply, Leeds are low on goals and need a player like Ramazani on their roster.

Why losing Ramazani has been a blow

Ramazani’s loan departure was portrayed as a setback to Leeds’ diverse alternatives.

The 24-year-old Belgian, rated at £6 million on Transfermarkt, arrived from Almería and played 29 Championship games last season, scoring six goals and providing two assists. His pace and direct running provided Leeds with an outlet in transition, while his ability to stretch defences opened space for others.

Ramazani, who is currently on loan at Valencia, has continued to show flashes of his promise. For Leeds fans, witnessing him go after only one season seemed premature, especially given that his transition to English football appeared to be begun.

However, while eliminating the wide striker has limited Leeds’ width, it has not solved their main issue: a lack of consistent goal scorers.

performance in the Championship was respectable but not prolific.

His nine goals in 30 appearances last season demonstrated his inconsistency in crucial moments.

As the season has progressed, Leeds may be missing a goal-scoring forward more than an extra winger.

Leeds real loss came two years ago

If Ramazani leaves a gaping vacuum, Max Dean’s departure could prove considerably more costly in the middle.

The 21-year-old centre-forward, who can also play off the wings, progressed through Everton’s development system before joining Leeds’ academy.

He instantly made an impression, scoring 20 goals and providing five assists in 43 appearances while on loan at MK Dons.

Dons head coach Mike Williamson praised him following a brace against Morecambe in December 2023, calling him “an infectious character.”

Gent signed him because of his combination of energy and finish, and he has since scored 13 goals and two assists in 30 games.

His trajectory reveals a player who has adapted quickly at each stage of his football career.

Dean is statistically less active on the ball than Ramazani, but he is significantly more effective in front of goal.

Last season, Dean scored seven goals in 17 games, while Ramazani had nine in 30.

His 48.5% shot accuracy outperforms the Belgian’s 45%, and his 1.48 shots on goal per 90 demonstrate his ability to regularly test goalkeepers.

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