TYLER ADAMS
You need to get yourself a woman that loves you like Jesse Marsch loves Tyler Adams. He first lured him in New York, then worked with him at Leipzig and now he's brought him to Yorkshire. Having already signed Marc Roca, as a deep lying playmaker, and Brenden Aaronson, as a creative number 10, Jesse Marsch opted for some industry and steel to complement his midfield partners. But Tyler Adams isn't limited to the high energy reviews you've read about him, in fact, he's a silky operator that completes this Leeds midfield.
american red bull
What most people have read about Tyler Adams is that he is a high energy pressing midfielder, and that's exactly what he is and the reason he has been brought in. But, it's the way in which Adams is able to press is what makes him so good.
The centre back will play the ball into the attacking midfielder and Adams will immediately go and press to win the ball. But when doing so, he will bend his run to cut the passing lane and leaving the AM with a less progressive option. Normal players who can press normally stop there, but Adams will have the intensity to continue the press and cut two further passing lanes, meaning the DM will only be able to go backward to the CB. Now this is great for a number of reasons:
If a player does attempt the pass Adams is blocking, he will win the ball and be able to start an attack.
By pressing, Adams stops the attack before it even begins and prevents teams from being able to being their build up play. It's a very selfless, hard working role that can go underappreciated but is crucial to Leeds' success.
By cutting the passing options, it's typical that DMs & CBs end up with the ball, who are easier to tackle or pressure in giving up possession.
Either Adams will win the ball, or another attacker will, allowing Leeds to have the ball in the attacking third.
If Leeds are unable to win the ball back, Adams still has the energy to return to his defensive position, not exposing Leeds defensively.
And the stats show how good Adams is at either baiting teams to pass and intercepting the ball or winning his pressure (which is a very hard tackle when entering the middle third of the pitch with an attacker having so many options).
You may also find that since Marsch has abandoned the all out press for a more conservative midblock, Marc Roca may join Adams at times to be aggressive in the middle third in pressing teams (You can read about Marc Roca and what he brings to Leeds United here). But, midfielders normally need a period of adjustment to get up to speed with the rigours and pace of the league. For example, Fabinho took 6 months and Rodri needed Fernandinho for the best part of a year to adapt. The biggest compliment I can give Adams is that he won't need to adjust to the league, he will arrive in the PL and wonder what the fuss was all about.
passing and dribbling
Now Tyler Adams isn't limited to being a pressing monster (althought it's what he has been limited to during this transfer). In fact, he's a very competent passer and progressor of the ball. Whilst Marc Roca is the deep lying playmaker spreading passes, Adams will be the safe assured player next to him who can receive the ball under pressure and help recycle possession until Roca can pull the trigger.
However, Adams also has an incredible line breaking pass in his locker. When he is able to win the ball during the press, he has the ability to play forwards in behind. Looking at his Goal Creating Actions from live passing and passes into the final third, you will comfortably see a player who can help create for the attacking Leeds wingers and attackers. With Sinisterra & Harrison running in behind, Adams will be able to put the place in their path whilst they run in on goal.
Now whilst is passing is good, his ability to be a progressor is slightly better. With Roca as the main passer, Marsch has brought in a midfielder who can carry the ball next to him. Now whilst that successful dribble rate will need some work, 55% is still respectable. The more important numbers are those progressive carries and carriers into the penalty area, making penetrative runs from deep to add to the Leeds attack. And with that, Marsch has a midfield that can either progress the ball through passing or carrying, which makes them far more difficult to stop.
specialist leeds
In no way is this a put down on Leeds, but bar Philips & Raphinha, all the current players are very hard working, well rounded players but not specialists in a single area of the game. Stuart Dallas & Luke Ayling typify this, able to play multiple positions and well, helping the team but not excellent specialist players. This is what Marsch has looked to fix.
He's brought in a great marauding tank at full back in Kristensen, a deep lying playmaker in Roca, a high energy presser with technical ability in Adams, a creative playmaker in Aaronson and the Raphinha replacement in Sinisterra. All players fit the profile of hard workers and ability to match the style but each and every one of them excel at one thing in particular. The Jesse Marsch revolution is underway and they're beginning to look as scary as they were when they first entered the Premier League.