Leeds United: How’s Noa Lang doing? | OneFootball

When Marcelo Bielsa looks back on his time at Leeds United, last summer’s transfer window may be the one he looks at as the beginning of the end for him.

The Whites’ squad was already razor-thin as it was, but the Yorkshire club failed to get a number of their targets through the door, including one of the most eye-catching in Club Brugge’s Noa Lang.

Indeed, it was suggested that the Whites had even agreed personal terms with Lang ahead of a potential move to Elland Road, and all that was left to be discussed was the actual fee involved.

1 of 10

Can you beat this impossible Leeds quiz!?

Danny Pugh Steve Stone Shaun Derry Dan Harding

Of course that didn’t materialise in the end, and Lang has simply gone from strength to strength with Brugge this season, and now has the likes of Arsenal monitoring his progress.

In fact, with reports claiming he could be available for £33m in the upcoming summer transfer window, it does feel like Leeds really missed the boat with the flying Dutchman.

Hailed as a “phenomenon” by Belgian journalist Peter Vandenbempt, the 22-year-old made history when he became the first player in more than 50 years to mark his debut for Ajax by scoring a hat-trick – something that left manager Erik ten Hag waxing lyrical about him in his post-match press conference.

He said: “He showed (his talent) today and I am very happy with that. Noa shows (his ability) it during training and during the reserve matches. And today he has also clearly shown it at the highest level too.”

And, after a particularly fine performance against KRC Genk, Belgian analyst Filip Joos, said: “He is currently the best player in the league, I think. That‘s really pure class. He sees it, makes eye contact with Mechele who finishes it fine. Fantastic goal, because that pass is also ideal. He is constantly moving, he swings across the field, he likes to dribble, but he will always play it at the right time.”

This year has seen him net eight goals and provide another 13 assists in 40 games across all competitions, including picking up an assist in the Champions League against PSG earlier in the group stages.

Given how fellow winger and summer signing Dan James has fared since his move from Manchester United – the Welshman has managed just four goals and four assists in 28 Premier League matches and 31 games in total – Leeds will surely be ruefully looking at Lang and wondering what could have been.