Leeds moulded squad into 'Big Lads FC' - but Town have Scherpen

[Getty Images] Every club approaches transfer windows differently, but it is clear that year-on-year the newly promoted teams are spending more in order to give themselves the best chance of Premier League survival. Last summer, Sunderland brought in 15 players, Leeds added 10 and Burnley - the only one of the three to be relegated - signed 13. All three clubs had a different approach; Sunderland looked to the European market for hidden gems, Leeds opted for a more physical profile of player and Burnley targeted younger talent alongside additions from other Premier League sides. "Leeds United's approach to the 2025 summer transfer window was to mould the squad into 'Big Lads FC' and to be strong in both boxes," said BBC Radio Leeds reporter Adam Pope. "It was a gear shift when you consider the swagger - and the style - that had seen the team romp to the Championship title, scoring almost as many goals as the 100 points amassed, while conceding only 30 the previous season. "Manager Daniel Farke and the recruitment team adopted a pragmatic and calculated view that the team had to impose itself to survive. "In came a set of signings with genuine height and physicality. It worked superbly well." Ipswich's recruitment this summer looks to be more about adding experience into the squad rather than physical profiles, but they have signed Kjell Scherpen - who is set to become the Premier League's tallest ever player. The 6ft 9in goalkeeper, who joined from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in July, is set to be Town's first-choice keeper for the season. He will be part of a relatively experienced starting XI under Gary O'Neil, which Pope views as further advantage to Town in their bid for survival. "Ipswich may have the best chance having had experience of the top flight recently but that was under the impressive Kieran McKenna who has left," Pope added. "O'Neil will need to draw on every ounce of the experience which saw him finish in 14th place with Wolves in 2024."