Leeds United would have started the 2016/17 Championship season looking to significantly improve on their 13th placed finish in the previous campaign.
The Whites made a number of changes in the summer, as they decided that it would be best to part company with Steve Evans, bringing in Garry Monk into the Elland Road hotseat.
The former Swansea City player and manager became the sixth full-time manager to arrive at Yorkshire under Massimo Cellino’s short spell, with the likes of Dave Hockaday, Darko Milanic, Neil Redfearn, Uwe Rosler and Evans all failing to bring the desired success.
Monk and Leeds made a number of additions to their team in the summer of 2016, with players such as Kyle Bartley, Pablo Hernandez, Alfonso Pedraza, Rob Green, Luke Ayling, Kemar Roofe and Marcus Antonsson all making the switch to Elland Road in either a permanent or temporary capacity.
However, one transfer dealing that they made in the summer appears to have been a revelation and one that proved to turn out as great as the fans had originally hoped for.
A moment in time: Pontus Jansson’s debut
Pontus Jansson was signed from Torino on a season-long loan deal in the summer as Leeds looked to strengthen their side ahead of a promotion charge to the Premier League.
The defender made his debut for the club in their League Cup match against Luton Town, in which the Whites managed to win 1-0, and it appears fans were impressed with his performance and made a solid first impression.
Jansson had to withdraw early in the game through cramp, which left some concerned, however, it was expected as he had been out of action for a while.
His display earned him praise from his new supporters on social media, with many delighted that he appeared to have solved a hole in the middle of the defence.
Some had commented that they had felt he would be crucial to their season, and looking back at it, they were not wrong.
I thought Jansson was very assured at the back, big unit and decent on the ball. Him and Bartley together could be very good.
— Courtenay (@CourtenayLeeds) August 23, 2016
Pontus Jansson did ok for Leeds tonight, he hasn't played in a while.. He will certainly be an important player this season #lufc #mot
— Ryan (@LeedsUtdRyan) August 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/JakeBealoJourno/status/768203757079367680
A very solid debut also tonight from our other debutant.
Pontus Jansson.
Gerry. https://t.co/Ak7h99TuAS— Gerry Mc Dermott (@gerrymcdermotya) August 23, 2016
Jansson has played well
— Armo (@Jordan_Armo) 23 August 2016
I hate to jinx it this early but Jansson looks brilliant. A long time since I've seen a central defender looking so solid for Leeds. #lufc
— 𝕋𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕪 (@tommy_lufc) August 23, 2016
Jansson looks a quality signing @GarryMonk @LUFC #lufcawaydays
— Dom 🐡🤘🦔 (@SpudofAmersham) August 23, 2016
The Swede has become a popular figure at Elland Road ever since that temporary spell from Torino and turned his stay into a permanent one the following summer for a fee thought to be around £3.6million, as per Transfermarkt.
His performances for Leeds have been so crucial in the past that it has seen a number of Premier League sides take note, whilst he also recently represented Sweden at the World Cup this past summer.
There is no doubt that Jansson has been a brilliant acquisition for the Whites, but he could arguably, have been their best transfer for a number of years.
Leeds fans – thoughts?
