Leeds United enjoyed a successful season but one that finished in utter heartbreak as promotion was denied at the final hurdle, and here are LeedsUnited.News’ player ratings for the entire season.
Below, we examine each player that contributed throughout 2023-24 and give them a rating out of 10.
Leeds United 2023-24 player ratings… Goalkeepers and defenders
Illan Meslier – 8/10
While he continues to have his critics, the Frenchman still kept a huge 21 clean sheets including the play-offs and won the Championship’s golden glove. He made stunning stops to deny Leicester and Norwich.
Karl Darlow – 3/10
Signed from Newcastle last summer, Darlow was seen as a man to rival Meslier. But he managed just four outings as Meslier’s back-up and suffered injuries too, including a dislocated thumb at the midway point.
Kris Klaesson – 6/10
With Meslier suspended and Darlow injured around Christmas, Klaesson played against Birmingham City and Peterborough United and kept two clean sheets. But still firmly the club’s third-choice option.
Luke Ayling – 8/10
For Ayling personally, he will feel vindicated after falling out of the side under Daniel Farke to go on and shine at Middlesbrough with eight assists, and then earn a permanent move to Boro earlier this week.
Jamie Shackleton – 6/10
Shackleton started well, a key part of the Leeds side with Farke trying to jump the hurdles in a tumultuous start at Elland Road. But he drifted out of the side and is now likely to leave Leeds on a free transfer.
Sam Byram – 8/10
His arrival was a bit of a questionable one given his injury record, with fans singing at him in a friendly at Hearts. While there have been injuries, he has been excellent when fit and proven to be a smart addition.
Connor Roberts – 6/10
The Championship’s best right-back in 2022-23 at Burnley, there was plenty of hype around Roberts after his arrival in January. But Roberts started only three of 15 matches, and he has now returned to Burnley.
Joe Rodon – 10/10
Clocking up more than 50 appearances for Leeds, the on-loan Tottenham man was the defensive lynchpin and a leader. Absolutely fundamental to this Leeds side, the only shame is that he is likely to leave now.
Ethan Ampadu – 10/10
Like Rodon, Ampadu was sensational for Leeds. A bargain at £7m, Ampadu played almost every second in our Championship campaign and became captain in the second half. It is crucial he is kept this summer.
Liam Cooper – 5/10
Through little fault of his own, Cooper endured a difficult season. He admitted himself it is hard to watch as a sub and found it tough, and it looks as though this is the end of his 10-year stint but a club legend.
Pascal Struijk – 7/10
People say football is a game of two halves and nothing could be more true in his case. Brilliant in the first half, scoring goals from defence and captain but injury has seen him missing since the turn of the year.
Junior Firpo – 8/10
Firpo was injured to begin with and it took until the new year to get into the side, but he’s been superb since. A real attacking threat, laying on eight assists and proving the doubters he has at Leeds wrong.
Charlie Cresswell – 1/10
Couldn’t have gone worse for the £5m man. Starring at Millwall last season, he expected to be a key player after signing a new deal but he plummeted down the pecking order and annoyed manager Farke.
Leeds United 2023-24 player ratings… Midfielders and wingers
Glen Kamara – 8/10
Steady, reliable and a brilliant signing for just £5m. The experienced former Rangers man rarely had a bad game without jumping off the page either. His know how will be crucial next season as Leeds go again.
Ilia Gruev – 7/10
Having been a regular in Germany’s top tier last season, Bulgaria star Gruev will have been wondering if he made the right move to Leeds. But January onwards, a key player and arguably our best midfielder.
Archie Gray – 10/10
What can you say about 18-year-old Gray? A wonderkid of the truest sense, a credit to his brilliant blood line. His debut on the opening day, finishing with more than 50 outings, Leeds have got to keep Gray.
Crysencio Summerville – 10/10
A brilliant campaign that saw the Dutchman earn The Championship’s Player of the Season award with 21 goals and 10 assists, Summerville tailed off towards the end but still produced a wonderful campaign.
Willy Gnonto – 5/10
Other than a brief period after January in which he scored a few, Gnonto has enjoyed a bad season by his standard on and off the pitch. Refusing to play and now seemingly keen to return to Italy this summer.
Jaidon Anthony – 4/10
Anthony had started Bournemouth’s first few games in the Premier League, but at Leeds he rarely got a chance from the off. He scored just two goals in 42 matches throughout the 2023-24 campaign for Leeds
Dan James – 8/10
James was in the form of his life going into the March break, having a hand in 20 goals. But he was the man to miss the penalty as Wales suffered Euro 2024 heartache, and struggled with injury following that.
Leeds United 2023-24 player ratings… Strikers
Georginio Rutter – 9/10
Signed in January 2023, not many could understand why Rutter was our club-record signing. But this term, he is put that right even if he struggled to retain his best form after a hernia operation in March.
Joel Piroe – 6/10
Bought for £16m, Piroe only managed 14 goals and lost his place to Patrick Bamford after the turn of the year. It comes after scoring north of 20 goals in both of his two seasons in Wales, often deemed a bit lazy.
Patrick Bamford – 6/10
It is clear that Bamford is past his best and is never going to get to the level that saw him win an England cap. But he remains an important part of the side, when he is fit. Will likely play a key role next season.
Mateo Joseph – 8/10
While Joseph rarely got a chance to show what he can do, he did score a brace against Chelsea and one against Watford. Enough to show Farke that next season, he has got to be the first-choice Leeds striker.
Joe Gelhardt – 2/10
An incredibly frustrating season for Gelhardt who after a poor loan at Sunderland, now finds himself even behind Joseph in the pecking order. The chances are, he will go on loan or even leave permanently.