Leeds United’s new addition has been termed ‘the glue’ to Daniel Farke’s troubled left-hand side.
The purchase of Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara by Leeds United will see the Finland international play in the middle of the park with Archie Gray, Ethan Ampadu, and fellow new recruit Ilia Gruev.
Daniel Farke alluded at Kamara’s adaptability before his debut against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, when he came on as a late replacement as the Whites drew 0-0 at Elland Road.
Kamara had been a summer target for Leeds, who eventually signed him in the final days before the transfer deadline on September 1. He adds to Farke’s options in the middle of the park, easing the burden on Ampadu and Gray, who have started each of Leeds’ seven games this season across all competitions.
Kamara’s three-minute cameo, including stoppage time, on Saturday afternoon was barely long enough to judge his value to this Leeds side, so recollections of his four-year stint with Rangers are especially useful.
‘Gerrard’s Blueprint: The Tactical Philosophy Behind Rangers 55th Title Triumph,’ by Adam Thornton, is an in-depth examination of Rangers tactics under Steven Gerrard, for whom Kamara became a vital player.
“Kamara nominally played as the left-sided central midfielder, but the Finnish international was truly capable of playing anywhere in midfield and adapting seamlessly to any situation or tactical role,” Thornton writes.
“Kamara excelled at creating a platform for the rest of the team to attack.” He was the group’s tactical chameleon; with such a diverse skill set, Kamara could conceivably play in at least seven of Rangers’ 10 outfield spots. Along with Borna Barisic, he served as the glue that held the Rangers’ tactical system together on the left side.
Leeds’ left flank is now one of the few unsolved questions in Farke’s system. Will Sam Byram’s spot at left-back be retained upon his return from injury, or can Junior Firpo rewrite his Elland Road chapter by remaining fit and securing that side of the pitch? Could Jamie Shackleton even be the answer to a long-standing problem?
While Kamara is unlikely to play left-back, there is some evidence to suggest that if he operates on the left side of Farke’s midfield duo, he might create a platform for a more offensive full-back to bomb on, utilizing his positional awareness to fill in.
“Should Barisic lose possession and be caught upfield, Kamara would be the one to shuttle wide and attempt to prevent a turnover
counter-attacks. If an opposing side decided to overload Rangers’ left flank, he was there to back his man and reclaim possession of the ball,” Thornton writes.
“Over the course of three years, Barisic formed an almost telepathic bond with Kamara and Kent on the left.”
