It is now less than a month until Leeds United kick off the new Championship campaign against Portsmouth.
Though 12 players including Archie Gray have already departed this summer, Leeds’ squad still very much looks like one of the strongest in the division.
To kick off the season, Leeds will be coming up against Portsmouth for the first time in 12 years following their League One title winning campaign, but know it is a good chance to swiftly put the Championship play-off final heartbreak behind them.
On top of the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter still being here, Leeds have also brought in three new signings so far this summer.
After the recent transfer developments at Elland Road, here is our current best Leeds XI and bench as the new season fast approaches.
Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier could well be one on his way out of Leeds before the end of the window but is still here and likely to remain as number one. New signing Alex Cairns will be third choice.
Defence
With the likes of Gray, Jamie Shackleton and Connor Roberts all gone, Leeds are a little short at full-back right now. Rasmus Kristensen’s future remains up in the air, and so Sam Byram gets the nod for now.
On the other flank, Leeds are actually set to block Junior Firpo’s involvement in the Olympics despite the fact Dominican Republic have named him in their squad. As such, he starts.
Following his £10 million return from Tottenham Hotspur, Joe Rodon will be able to rekindle his partnership with Pascal Struijk for the first time since Boxing Day after the Dutchman’s recovery from injury. Max Wober is in the same situation as Kristensen.
Midfield
Leeds are well stocked again in midfield following the loan capture of Joe Rothwell on Thursday, but it is hard to see Daniel Farke moving away from his first choice pairing.
Having spent the second half of last season covering at centre-back, Ethan Ampadu simply has to return into a midfield role come the start of the campaign.
Attack
Given Jaidon Anthony is the only first team attacking departure at this stage, Farke is absolutely spoilt for choice in the front four.
Brenden Aaronson’s return to the squad gives him a major headache in the number 10 role, but it would be a surprise if Rutter was moved away from that position right now.
Willy Gnonto and Summerville are both still at the club and so are the preferred wide pairing to start the season. Mateo Joseph should be handed the chance to start as first choice striker.
Best XI: Meslier; Byram, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Ampadu, Kamara; Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville; Joseph
Bench: Darlow, Kristensen, Wober, Gruev, Rothwell, James, Aaronson, Piroe, Bamford
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