After Leeds United’s 2024 defensive statistic was disclosed by Kaiser Chiefs’ Simon Rix, Adam Pope and Jonny Buchan were astounded.
The Whites have established the strongest defense in the Championship with Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu at the center of defense; in 38 games, they have allowed just 28 goals to be scored.
Leeds has risen above Leicester City in the standings since the beginning of the year thanks to their 10 Championship clean sheets and just three goals allowed.
“The stat I saw this morning was that Leeds are the only side in the top four leagues in England to not concede a goal from open play in this calendar year,” Rix said in a Monday, March 18, interview with the Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.
Buchan and Pope, taken aback by the figure, only said, “Wow.”
Is Leeds United’s defense the secret to winning the Championship?
The Whites have experienced a good deal of concern about injuries, particularly at the back, where Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk are both prone to problems this year.
But Rodon and Ampadu have done a fantastic job of covering for the missing players; the latter has returned to his natural midfield position and fits in just right.
Naturally, there are a ton of incredibly interesting players in Daniel Farke’s assault, including Joel Piroe, Patrick Bamford, Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, Dan James, and Wilfried Gnonto.
Leeds boasts one of the strongest offenses in the division, second only to Southampton, Ipswich Town, and Leicester, but their unwavering defense gives them the opportunity to attack.
When the opponent is able to attack, the defense has additional protection since Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev are securely positioned at the base of midfield, which helps to reduce the majority of goals scored through open play.
A league winner can be identified by a statistic like the one above. And Leeds may be headed for a very famous league triumph if the Foxes are ultimately dethroned from their position atop the Championship table.
