Tyler Adams set to complete Leeds transfer: A good move for USMNT star?

Tyler Adams is set to complete his move to Leeds United as a deal worth over $24 million has been agreed for the USMNT midfielder to arrive from RB Leipzig.

First question: is this a good move for Tyler Adams? Second question: is this a good move for Leeds United?

[ MORE: Full 2022-23 Premier League schedule ]

Adams, 23, is touted as the replacement for Kalvin Phillips (the England international moved to Manchester City for $54.7 million) but anybody who has watched both Adams and Phillips play will know they are very different players and Leeds have basically replaced Phillips with Adams and Marc Roca.

From New York to Leipzig and the international game, Adams has always slotted in seamlessly whenever he’s moved up a level. Is this move a good one for him? And will it benefit both his own development and Leeds?

Under Marcelo Bielsa Leeds were incredibly unbalanced and very susceptible on the counter. That stemmed largely from not having enough legs and defensively stability in central midfield.

Adams will bring that stability. He has always been so smart in where to position himself to win the ball back or help his team recover. His reading of the game is exceptional and one of his main strengths. Leeds did become more balanced in the final months of the 2021-22 season after Jesse Marsch arrived and Adams’ arrival will further enhance their newfound defensively solidity.

Adams isn’t going to match Phillips’ supreme passing ability but as you can see from the graph below, he will attempt more dribbles and isn’t scared at making direct passes into the final third. The American also has less pressures and pressure regains than Phillips, which is very key to note. Adams will fit Marsch’s Leeds much better than he would have