Key Points
- Leeds United’s summer signings have contributed 24 out of their 34 Premier League goals this season, equating to over 70 per cent of total goals scored, the highest among all 20 Premier League clubs.
- The Whites signed free agent strikers Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, who have scored 10 and 5 goals respectively so far this season.
- Additional contributors from new arrivals include Noah Okafor, Sean Longstaff, and Jaka Bijol, helping Leeds stay above the relegation zone and on course to meet their points-per-game survival target.
- An alternative Premier League table published by The Athletic ranks clubs by goals from summer signings, spotlighting Leeds United’s exceptional transfer impact following their promotion.
- Leeds United, under manager Daniel Farke, have leveraged these signings post-promotion to bolster their survival bid in the top flight.
- The story originates from coverage in the Yorkshire Evening Post, linking to The Athletic’s analysis, with no conflicting reports from other sources at this time.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) February 7, 2026 – Leeds United’s transformative summer transfer business has dramatically boosted their Premier League survival prospects, as revealed in an alternative league table that underscores the impact of new signings accounting for over 70 per cent of the team’s goals. The Whites, currently positioned above the relegation zone, have seen 24 of their 34 top-flight goals come from summer arrivals, a figure unmatched across the division according to data compiled by The Athletic. This surge in scoring has placed Daniel Farke’s side on track to achieve their requisite points-per-game target, validating the strategic recruitment following promotion from the Championship.
- Key Points
- What Makes This Alternative Premier League Table Unique?
- Who Are the Key Summer Signings Driving Leeds’ Success?
- How Have These Signings Impacted Leeds’ Position?
- Why Is 70 Per Cent Such a Striking Verdict?
- What Does This Mean for Leeds United’s Survival Bid?
- How Does Leeds Compare to Rivals in the Table?
- What Challenges Lie Ahead Despite This Success?
- Broader Implications for Premier League Recruitment?
What Makes This Alternative Premier League Table Unique?
The alternative Premier League table, published by The Athletic on February 5, 2026, reorders the league standings based solely on goals scored by players signed during the previous summer transfer window. As detailed in the Yorkshire Evening Post article by their football correspondent, this metric highlights Leeds United’s recruitment prowess, with their 24 goals from new signings dwarfing competitors. “Take a look below to see how Leeds’ numbers rack up against the other 19, in a table published by The Athletic,” the Yorkshire Evening Post urged readers, directing them to the full analysis.
No other club comes close to Leeds’ 70 per cent reliance on summer acquisitions for goals, a statistic that underscores the immediate efficacy of their transfer strategy. The table, accessible via The Athletic’s platform, provides a granular breakdown, positioning Leeds at the summit in this specialised ranking. This approach offers fans and analysts a fresh lens on team performance, moving beyond traditional points tallies to evaluate squad-building success.
Who Are the Key Summer Signings Driving Leeds’ Success?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha stand out as the spearheads of Leeds’ attacking reinforcements, both secured as free agents. According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Calvert-Lewin has netted 10 goals this season, while Nmecha has contributed 5, forming a potent partnership. Their arrivals have directly addressed Leeds’ pre-season need for prolific strikers capable of thriving in the Premier League cauldron.
Beyond the strikers, Noah Okafor, Sean Longstaff, and Jaka Bijol have added vital tallies to the goal column. The Post noted that “the likes of Noah Okafor, Sean Longstaff and Jaka Bijol have all contributed,” with these players integrating seamlessly into Farke’s system. In a related piece on Leeds’ strongest XI ahead of the January window, the publication highlighted the depth these signings provide, including potential bench options like Brenden Aaronson and Noah Okafor. This collective output—24 goals from newcomers—represents a whopping 70 per cent of Leeds’ Premier League haul, as verified by The Athletic’s data.
How Have These Signings Impacted Leeds’ Position?
Leeds United’s summer dealings have propelled them clear of relegation danger, with the club currently above the bottom three and progressing towards their seasonal points-per-game benchmark. The Yorkshire Evening Post reported that “The Whites are currently above the relegation zone and on course to reach their point-per-game target,” crediting the signings made post-promotion. Daniel Farke’s tactical acumen has maximised this influx, turning potential vulnerability into strength.
The impact extends to recent form, where Leeds have strung together results against sides like West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, and Crystal Palace, as referenced in the Post’s coverage. With 34 goals scored in total, the 70 per cent contribution from new faces illustrates a squad refresh that has exceeded expectations. Analysts at The Athletic emphasise this as “by far the highest number of summer-signing goals across the Premier League,” cementing Leeds’ status as the division’s transfer success story.
Why Is 70 Per Cent Such a Striking Verdict?
The 70 per cent figure is not merely impressive; it is unprecedented, marking the highest proportion of goals from summer signings league-wide. As per the Yorkshire Evening Post’s summary of The Athletic’s table, “of the 34 Premier League goals Daniel Farke’s side have scored, a whopping 24 of them have come from new arrivals. That equates to over 70 per cent of total goals scored”. This verdict validates the foresight of Leeds’ recruitment team, who targeted proven talents on free transfers to maximise value.
Comparatively, no rival club approaches this dependency on fresh blood, highlighting potential frailties elsewhere. The Athletic’s alternative table, shared via Twitter UK sources, invites scrutiny of how others stack up, with Leeds’ numbers “racking up” against the field. For a promoted side, this integration rate signals resilience, reducing reliance on fading incumbents and building a sustainable attack.
What Does This Mean for Leeds United’s Survival Bid?
Leeds’ transfer masterstroke positions them favourably for Premier League consolidation. The Yorkshire Evening Post links this to broader narrative threads, including Farke’s post-match reflections after key wins, underscoring the signings’ role in battles against relegation rivals. With the season ongoing as of February 2026, maintaining this momentum could secure mid-table stability.
Subscription prompts in the Post, such as “Subscribe to Inside Elland Road newsletter with Graham Smyth for unique, behind-the-scenes Leeds United coverage,” suggest growing optimism among supporters. Graham Smyth’s expertise promises deeper dives into how Calvert-Lewin, Nmecha, and others are faring, exclusive interviews, and analysis. This alternative table serves as a benchmark, with Leeds leading the metrics that matter most for survival.
How Does Leeds Compare to Rivals in the Table?
While full details reside in The Athletic’s paywalled content, the Yorkshire Evening Post’s preview indicates Leeds’ dominance in summer-signing goals. Rivals trail significantly, with no club matching the 24-goal haul or 70 per cent share. This disparity exposes gaps in competitors’ windows, where heavy spending has yielded diminishing returns.
For context, Leeds’ free-agent coups contrast with lavish outlays elsewhere, amplifying the efficiency verdict. The table, as published, reimagines the standings, crowning Leeds atop this niche leaderboard. Observers note this as a “crucial” factor in their post-promotion trajectory.
What Challenges Lie Ahead Despite This Success?
Notwithstanding the glowing statistics, Leeds must navigate fixture pile-ups and potential January tinkering. The Post’s mention of a “strongest XI bench” for the window, featuring Aaronson and Okafor, hints at squad evolution. Farke will need to guard against injuries to key contributors like Calvert-Lewin.
Fan engagement via newsletters like Inside Elland Road ensures sustained backing, vital for crunch clashes. The Athletic’s model predicts sustained impact if integration holds, but variance in form remains a wildcard.
Broader Implications for Premier League Recruitment?
This saga reframes summer windows as make-or-break for survivalists. Leeds’ model—scouting free agents like Nmecha and Bijol—offers a blueprint for budget-conscious clubs. The 70 per cent verdict challenges orthodoxy, proving high-impact signings need not bankrupt.
Media cross-references, from Yorkshire Evening Post to The Athletic, affirm the data’s robustness. As Leeds push on, this table will benchmark peers, potentially influencing future dealings.